Good versus evil, a battle as old as time Ipswich Town’s Jimmy Leadbetter. Just as there are heroes (Philomena Cunk, Sir Patrick Vallance, Big Pun) and villains (Gregg Wallace, that bloke with the ukulele singing to Dua Lipa at Glastonbury, the bamboo that refuses to stop growing in Euro 2024 Daily’s garden) in the wider world, there are heroes and villains in football.

The first semi-final of Euro 2024 is just that. Spain, our heroes, sent to Germany to save the continent from some of the worst tactics these Euros have ever seen, are the best team at the tournament by a country mile, playing fluent, thrilling football with both freedom and control. They have the best midfielder in the world and a 16-year-old with a claim to be the best player at this tournament so far. Not sure if you can be an emerging talent if you played 50 games for Barcelona last season, but Lamine Yamal has given it a good go. Nico Williams is not half bad, either. And have you seen Spain’s pre-match 90s-inspired Adidas tracksuits? Serious drip, as the kids would say.

Despite having a squad so talented it could make Jack Dee break into song, France have – remarkably more than England – absolutely stunk out the tournament, but still find themselves in the last four despite failing to score from open play. It’s turgid, pragmatic stuff that gets results. Sort of like watching Big Sam at a hot dog-eating contest. He might win, and it’s impressive in a weird sort of way, but few want to tune in. “If you’re getting bored, watch another game,” Didier Deschamps roared in his pre-match press conference. “You don’t have to watch – it’s fine. It’s a special Euros. It’s very difficult for everyone, with fewer goals. It hasn’t been the same as in the past, but we share the desire to make French men and women happy through the results we have been getting, especially in a period that has been hard for our country.”

To make matters worse for Deschamps and the watching public, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann – our best hope of avoiding Un Snoozefest – are both struggling for fitness. “It would be easier if we had the Antoine and the Kylian, which hasn’t been the case,” continued Deschamps. “Having to wear a mask means that Kylian’s field of vision changes. Although we are maybe having trouble, we have reached the semi-final. Antoine’s and Kylian’s legs are not as fresh as they could be but we have 100% faith in them. We know they can change the game at any point. We will need them if we are to get to the final.” And that’s all that matters at this point: winning. There are no pictures on the scorecard, as many a golfer has muttered. Of course, Spain aren’t really heroes, France aren’t really villains. Euro 2024 Daily doesn’t really care who makes the final. But it would be nice to see a goal or two along the way.

Join Scott Murray from 8pm BST for hot Euro 2024 semi-final coverage of Spain 1-0 France.

He’s our captain, he’s our leader, he leads by example and we all follow him” – Luke Shaw is just one of many teammates jumping to the defence of England’s Brave and Loyal John Terry Harry Kane after his somnambulant displays in Germany so far.

It’s David Squires on … England’s performance art on their run to the last four.

By letters standards, your 2 July discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the context of Good Will Hunting is a bit long in the tooth now, as are its sporting and cinematic subjects. But it brought quickly to mind a visit several friends and I paid to Boston this spring, during which we stumbled upon (and, some hours later, out of) the L St Tavern, a bar that served as a major set for the film by celebrated local pals Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Movie memorabilia under lacquered tabletops aside, L St remains a modest, warm, and friendly watering hole, with a steady clientele of regulars – including one fine young fellow we met who had verifiably advanced to a recent Jeopardy Tournament of Champions. A new savant, perhaps, in the fabled footsteps of Will Hunting? For Portugal’s sake, and that of its football admirers, if the curtain has indeed descended on the legendary Ronaldo’s international career, I hope an emergent Rafael Leão shines all the brighter in the faded star’s absence” – Clinton Macsherry.

Spain v Netherlands final: there is a future for football. Spain v England final: the irresistible force meet the lucky pack. France v Netherlands final: the undeserving meet the better team. France v England final: switch off TV, go for a long walk” – Krishna Moorthy.

Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Krishna Moorthy. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.

When Joan Monfort snapped some photos of Lionel Messi with a baby for a charity calendar almost 17 years ago, he knew the scraggly-haired Barcelona player would make it big in football. He couldn’t have imagined the little boy would as well. The baby in the photos – which have gone viral – was none other than Lamine Yamal, the tyro ripping it up in Germany and already being compared to the greats. Lamine Yamal, of course, is the youngest male player to have represented Spain and the youngest at a men’s Euros to boot. The long-forgotten photos from 2007 resurfaced after his father posted one on Instachat last week with the text: “The beginning of two legends.” Yep, it’s some coincidence.

All 26 of England’s players did star jumps and shuttle runs before Wednesday’s semi-final with the Netherlands.

Phil Foden has revealed that England are so damn good at spot-kicks because Dutch double-agent Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is giving them top, top lessons. “[He]’s got a lot of experience in the game, he knows his stuff,” trilled Foden. “He’s been taking a few of us after training to practise penalties.”

Cody Gakpo reckons Netherlands are already 1-0 up against England because they have Micky van de Ven, “the fastest [player] in the Premier League”. Ooh.

And in news we really needed because we don’t have many bobs, some mystic meerkats have predicted that England will deffo beat the Dutch. “You shouldn’t doubt the mystic meerkats’ psychic powers,” honked Gemma Romanis, their keeper at Drusillas Park in East Sussex, where the meerkats spookily jumped into a bin with a St George’s Cross on it.

The Football Association of Ireland has apologised to female former players who “experienced serious historical abuse and manipulative behaviour”.

Troubled Reading are edging towards the end of the Dai Yongge era with a takeover expected by former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig.

Hide the golf clubs because Craig Bellamy is Wales’s new manager. “It’s the proudest moment of my career,” gushed the former Liverpool and Newcastle winger. “It was always my ultimate dream.”

Everton have knocked back Manchester United’s £50m offer for Jarrad Branthwaite and want a cool £70m for the 21-year-old centre-back.

And Thiago Alcântara has decided to hang up his boots aged 33. “I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time I have enjoyed it. Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way. See you soon, Thiago.”

France’s attack hasn’t clicked at all but will it even matter, muses Eric Devin.

“Hang on, roll the tape back. Play it again. Shock as Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford left out of England squad. England players using £421 smart ring to boost Euros hopes. Fury over Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer comments on podcast. Some men throw beer cups at Gareth Southgate (and miss). Jude Bellingham in hot water over ‘obscene gesture’. Nineteen-year-old runs England midfield in first international tournament. Bellingham fined over ‘obscene gesture’ but escapes ban. Southgate hits back at critics. Southgate fumes over tactical ‘leaks’ in media. Did you spot it? Did you need another look?” It’s Jonathan Liew on Kobbie Mainoo.

Jacob Steinberg explains why Trent Alexander-Arnold epitomises England’s team spirit.

Devastation and delight: memories of England’s Euros clashes with the Netherlands, courtesy of Louise Taylor.

And where will Netherlands v England be won and lost tactically? Jonathan Wilson has you covered.

To June 2000 and Youri Djorkaeff celebrates scoring the winner in France’s 2-1 victory over Spain in the quarter-final of the Euros in Belgium. Raúl had a chance to take the tie into extra-time with a late, late penalty but ballooned it over the bar. Will we see such drama in their semi-final? Here’s hoping.