France vs Spain live: World Cup favourites take on European champions in crunch semi-final
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By: Benjamin DODMAN Les Bleus must end their losing streak against Spain if they are to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. © France Médias Monde Graphic Studio A place in the World Cup final is at stake as Kylian Mbappé’s France face Lamine Yamal’s Spain at the Dallas Stadium on Bastille Day, in a mouthwatering clash of styles pitting the tournament’s most formidable attacking armada against its smoothest midfield and stingiest defence. Follow our live, minute-by-minute match commentary.
World Cup favourites France take on European champions Spain in a clash of titans on Tuesday, widely billed as a “final before the final” between the tournament’s two most impressive teams.
Didier Deschamps ’ France are aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final, while Spain look for a third successive win over Les Bleus under coach Luis de la Fuente, after victories at the 2024 Euros and the Nations League last year.
The winners will go on to face either England or Argentina in the July 19 final.
Kick-off is at 2pm local time in Arlington, Texas, and at 9pm in Paris and Madrid.
The France coach has engineered a remarkable transformation in his final tournament with Les Bleus after 14 years at the helm, transforming his relatively dull but ruthless squad into a swashbuckling, forward-minded team.
Over the years, Deschamps has established a winning pedigree that speaks for itself, guiding Les Bleus to back-to-back World Cup finals and clinching the famous golden trophy both as player (1998) and as coach (2018).
But in the eyes of many fans of the beautiful game, his conservative approach has left a blemish on his extraordinary record.
The 2022 runners-up have amassed a staggering 16 goals from six games, already two more than their total in Qatar, cementing their status as this tournament’s hot favourites.
But it is the manner of those victories that has enthralled French and other fans alike, after more than a decade of Les Bleus’ star-studded squads being constrained by their manager’s instinct to defend.
The semi-final may hinge on whether Deschamps’ midfield can prevent Spain monopolising the ball and still provide the forwards with enough service.
Spain have built their run to the last four around their ability to dominate the ball, press opponents deep into their own half and control the rhythm of matches.
France possess the pace to hurt them on the break, but Deschamps rejected the idea that his side would be content merely to defend and wait for transitions.
“Spain can apply a lot of pressure, but we are also a team who need the ball,” he said ahead of the game. “There will be a battle for control.”
Here’s how Lamine Yamal summed it up, simple as that.
“There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens. We aren't afraid at all.”
France, de la Fuente warned, have improved significantly since Spain defeated them 5-4 in a hectic UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart last year, when the Spaniards led 5-1 before a late rally.
“We were winning 5-1, and in a few minutes they managed to make it 5-4. So we're trying to repeat what we did well and the opposite of what we didn't do well,” said the Spain coach.
He added: “I think they are a better team, far better, because those players have grown, and what they are doing now, is better than what they were doing then.”
Coach Luis de la Fuente has said Spain will attempt to impose their possession-based game on France in what is shaping up as a gripping clash of styles.
De la Fuente – whose team have beaten France in their last two meetings – is plotting another ambush at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“We faced each other for a few years now and they have great players, but so do we. We have to put all of our virtues on the table and try to counteract the strengths of the opponent,” de la Fuente told reporters on the eve of the match.
“And that's what football is about – the team that strikes a better balance is usually closer to getting the victory.
“We need to try and impose our game. We have completely antagonistic playing styles, so we'll try to be on the front foot and take the initiative.”
Didier Deschamps has repeatedly insisted that Spain remain favourites for the World Cup, a stance he maintained even after their shock opening draw against Cape Verde.
They overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts – as do most football pundits, barring perhaps Spanish ones.
Didier Deschamps has always pointed to Spain as the team to beat, and Les Bleus surely face their toughest test yet against La Roja after easing through the tournament to cement their status as World Cup favourites.
The 2022 runners-up have powered into the last four with a scintillating brand of attacking football, led by Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé. But the European champions boast the stingiest defence in the tournament, a midfield that can confiscate the ball like no other, and of course Lamine Yamal up front.
France and Spain are easily Europe’s most dominant football nations this century, while Les Bleus have been dominant on the World Cup stage, too. It’s no wonder this match has been labelled a “final before the final”.
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