In their Euro 2024 semi-final match in Munich, Spain overcame France, with Arsenal’s William Saliba starting for the losing side.
Randal Kolo Muani gave France an early lead, but Laméine Yamal and Dani Olmo’s two excellent goals soon put an end to their hopes.
Saliba was praised in the lead-up to the match since his team didn’t give up a goal through open play until the semifinals, and the Arsenal star was a key member of the France defence.
His run came to an end when Olmo destroyed the French defence with a superb touch and finish, followed by Yamal’s long-range scorcher.
Saliba has been the target of criticism from rival supporters on X, but supporters of Arsenal have jumped to his defence, emphasising that he was helpless to stop the two amazing goals.
The supporters of Arsenal are sure that Saliba had nothing to do with either of Spain’s goals against France. After others attempted to disparage the 23-year-old defender, they stood by him.
Ibrahima Konaté led France to the World Cup final, but Saliba was unable to repeat the feat in the Euros, according to a Liverpool supporter who wrote on X. This implies that Saliba received unwarranted criticism in contrast to Konaté.
Some supporters argued that Saliba was not at blame for the two goals France gave up—rather, it was a penalty, Kounde’s own goal, and Yamal’s worldie shot.
Arsenal supporters have emphasised that rather than Saliba, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot were more responsible for the goals.
One supporter claimed that although Saliba has been the finest defender, the team as a whole was subpar and Saliba shouldn’t be held responsible because Spain dominated the middle and Rabiot was nonexistent.
Spain’s two goals were outstanding attempts. When Saliba lost possession of the ball, Yamal was the one who shot it, but Saliba was powerless to stop it at that point. More significantly, Yamal’s strike was unstoppable, and it would be unreasonable to hold any defender accountable for anything of that calibre.
After the Spaniard beаt Rabiot with a stunning display of talent, Saliba was powerless to save his shot as it sailed in off Jules Koundé, setting up the goal for Almo.
Although Saliba did not perform to the same level as he did during the remainder of the tournament, France’s defeat was more down to two spellbinding moments and their own inadequacies in аttаck than anything the Arsenal center-back did during the match.