Euro 2024: Robin Le Normand to miss semifinal after 29th-minute booking against Germany
It was a frantic night of Euro 2024 action as hosts Germany were knocked out of the tournament after a 119th-minute winner from Spain in Stuttgart on Friday (July 5). The match had several talking points including Marc Cucurella’s handball decision and Dani Carvajal’s late red card. However, one of the incidents that also came into the limelight was Robin Le Normand’s yellow card which had huge consequences on the output of Spain’s next match.
Robin Le Normand to miss semis
With the slate for yellow cards set to get clear at the semifinal stage, Le Normand’s yellow card in the 29th minute proved costly in the quarterfinal. The Real Sociedad center-back was booked in the 29th minute which saw his yellow card tally rise to two before the semifinal stage, meaning he activated a one-match ban which will now be served in the last-four contest against either Portugal or France.
Le Normand had earlier picked up a yellow card in the 69th minute during Spain’s 1-0 win over Italy in the group stage. He will now have to sit out of the semis and could only feature for Spain again at the Euro 2024 if his side reaches the final.
However, he won’t be the only player defender to miss the semis for Spain as Dani Carvajal will also warm the bench having picked up a red card. Interestingly, even though he had managed to avoid the red card in the 125th minute he was obliged to serve a suspension. Carvajal’s first yellow card in the 100th minute also triggered an automatic suspension for him. Carvajal like Le Normand had also picked a yellow card in the 1-0 win over Italy during the group stage.
For the time being, Spain will have their focus on the semis and enjoy the quarterfinal win over Germany.
The defeat for Germany also means, legendary midfielder Toni Kroos officially ended his career, having already announced his desire to retire from international football after the Euro 2024. The defeat against Spain turned out to be his final professional match having earlier retired from club football with Real Madrid where he won six Champions League titles.
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