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(COMBO) This mixture of files photos created on July 12, 2026, shows Spain\u2019s forward #19 Lamine Yamal in Inglewood on July 10, 2026 (L); and France\u2019s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026. France and Spain will meet in a 2026 World Cup semifinal football match on the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 14, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON and Angela WEISS \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Spain will try to neutralize one of the crucial potent attacking arsenals in World Cup history on Tuesday once they tackle France in a heavyweight semifinal showdown.<\/p>\n
The reigning European champions and Didier Deschamps\u2019 French team face off on the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in what’s seen by many as a \u2018final before the ultimate\u2019 featuring the 2 best sides left within the tournament.<\/p>\n
Within the blue corner are France, who’ve progressed serenely to the last 4 on the back of a multi-pronged strike-force spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappe \u2014 he has scored eight goals in six games.<\/p>\n
Mbappe\u2019s supporting forged includes Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, Ballon D\u2019Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.<\/p>\n
Within the red corner, Spain, who’ve calmly worked their way into the semi-finals with their brand of possession-based, relentless football that has change into their trademark under Luis de la Fuente.<\/p>\n
While individual brilliance has lit up France\u2019s campaign, Spain have relied on collective menace \u2014 a well-oiled machine founded on the silky passing of midfielders corresponding to Rodri, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, providing ammunition for teenage winger Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n
All of it adds as much as a classic clash of styles that may see Spain try to sever the provision lines to Mbappe and company by controlling possession, while concurrently looking for to place pressure on a France defence that has yet to be seriously tested.<\/p>\n
While which may be easier said than done, Spain will take encouragement from their recent record against France.<\/p>\n
La Roja defeated France 5-4 in a high-scoring UEFA Nations League thriller last 12 months, and in addition scored a 2-1 semifinal win en path to victory on the European Championship in 2024.<\/p>\n
Yamal, who will go into Tuesday\u2019s blockbuster only a day after turning 19, says Spain don’t have anything to fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously we’re two great teams, amongst the perfect on the earth. We\u2019ll see what happens, but we now have no fear,\u201d Yamal said after Spain\u2019s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat of Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are two possibilities \u2014 either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them thrice in a row. We\u2019ll see what happens. We aren\u2019t afraid in any respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spain coach De la Fuente echoed Yamal\u2019s message of \u201cno fear\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe French are in great form, and we now have different playing styles,\u201d De la Fuente said. \u201cWe have now the best respect for our opponents, but we feel able to beating any team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we\u2019re the one team to have beaten them in two semifinals.\u201d<\/p>\n
France, meanwhile, will expect their gilded attacking line-up to pose questions of a steely Spanish defence that only conceded its first goal of the tournament in Friday\u2019s win against the Belgians.<\/p>\n
There may be also a tangible sense of purpose driving a united French squad towards a second World Cup title in three tournaments under Deschamps, who will step down at the tip of the finals.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s arrival within the last 4 makes them only the third nation to achieve three consecutive World Cup semi-finals after Germany (1982-90 and 2002-14) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002).<\/p>\n
Deschamps modestly plays down his own role in transforming France into the superpower of recent international football as they aim for a 3rd straight final appearance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, having superb players I assume. But I can\u2019t be doing my job too badly,\u201d Deschamps said last week when asked for the key to his success.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a human adventure and although I selected the players, to be with this squad each day could be very necessary,\u201d Deschamps added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m very completely happy on a private level and in addition completely happy to see them having fun with themselves a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
That sense of affection is reciprocated by France\u2019s players, illustrated most clearly when Mbappe celebrated scoring a goal against Sweden by sprinting to the sideline to embrace Deschamps, who had just rejoined the team after returning to France following the death of his mother.<\/p>\n