Introduction
The UEFA Euro 2004 was an exciting tournament, and one of the most memorable matches was the semi-final clash between England and France, which took place on June 13th, 2004. This match was a battle of the titans, with two of the strongest teams in Europe facing off against each other in a high-stakes encounter.
The Background
Both England and France had come into the tournament with high expectations. England had a wealth of talent in their side, including the likes of David Beckham, Michael Owen, and Wayne Rooney, and were one of the tournament favorites. France, on the other hand, were the defending champions, having won the 2000 tournament, and were led by Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest players of all time.
The Match
The match started at a frenetic pace, with both teams eager to take control. However, it was France who struck first, with Zidane scoring a penalty in the 23rd minute. England responded well, and Michael Owen equalized just two minutes later with a stunning solo effort.
The match continued at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances. However, it was France who looked the more dangerous, and they eventually took the lead again in the 90th minute, with a stunning free-kick from Zidane. This proved to be the winner, as France held on for a 2-1 victory, and booked their place in the final.
The Aftermath
The defeat was a bitter blow for England, who had played well throughout the tournament. However, they could take consolation in the fact that they had lost to the eventual champions and had put up a good fight. France went on to win the tournament, beating Portugal 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Angelos Basinas.
Overall, the semi-final between England and France was one of the highlights of the tournament and a match that will live long in the memory of football fans around the world. It was a clash of two of the greatest teams in Europe, and both sides gave it their all. In the end, it was France who came out on top, but both teams can be proud of the way they played.