France and Spain are set to face each other in a World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Both teams have maintained an undefeated record, not having trailed at any point in this year’s tournament.
Their only previous World Cup meeting saw France defeat Spain 3-1 in a round of 16 game during the 2006 tournament held in Germany.
France, ranked as FIFA’s top team entering the tournament, has outscored its opponents 14-2. Kylian Mbappé, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, has scored eight goals in this tournament, matching Lionel Messi for the scoring lead.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed confidence in France’s performance while emphasizing humility. Coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that Mbappé is physically fit after being substituted in the 77th minute of France’s quarterfinal victory over Morocco, where he scored a goal.
Spain’s Journey to the Semifinals
Spain has also had a strong showing, outscoring its opponents 10-1 since a goalless draw against Cape Verde in the group stage. Mikel Merino has contributed crucial late goals as a substitute in Spain’s last two matches. Goalkeeper Unai Simón maintained a World Cup record of 650 minutes without conceding a goal until Belgium scored in the 41st minute of their quarterfinal game.
Midfielder Alex Baena noted that the team has improved with more games and practices, finding their rhythm as the tournament progressed. Merino’s goal in the 88th minute secured a 2-1 win over Belgium. Earlier, he scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time for a 1-0 victory against Portugal in the round of 16, played at the same stadium as the upcoming semifinal.
Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has been a key player for Spain. He was part of Spain’s 5-4 victory in Nations League play last year. Yamal has one goal and 10 shots on target in this World Cup, despite nursing a left hamstring issue that caused him to miss the final weeks of the season for his club, Barcelona.
Yamal expressed his excitement for the match, calling it the most important he will play and stating that a victory would be the best birthday gift. France defender Jules Koundé, who plays with Yamal at Barcelona, acknowledged Yamal’s confidence in his abilities and those of his team.
Previous Champions and Tournament Context
This World Cup marks the first time since 1990 that all four semifinalists are former champions. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi and the defending champion from 2022, will play England in the other semifinal match on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Both France and Spain have lifted the World Cup trophy since their last tournament meeting. Spain secured its only title in 2010, while France won its second World Cup in 2018. France is aiming to join Brazil and Germany as the only teams to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.
France is making its seventh semifinal appearance, and its fifth in the last eight World Cups. Spain’s only other semifinal appearances were in 1950 and 2010, the year they won the title.
The championship match is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City. A third-place game will be held on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. AT&T Stadium in North Texas is hosting its ninth game of the tournament, featuring significant soccer moments throughout the month-long event.
Messi scored three goals in Argentina’s two group games, including breaking the World Cup career scoring record with two goals against Austria on June 22. He added another goal against Jordan on June 27. Cristiano Ronaldo concluded his sixth and final World Cup on July 6 in Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain.
Combined XI for the Semifinal
A combined best XI for the Spain versus France semifinal, utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation, features several prominent players from both squads. The goalkeeper position sees Mike Maignan of France selected, having conceded only two goals in the tournament.
In defense, Jules Koundé is chosen at right-back for his stability and defensive capabilities. The center-back pairing consists of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, both from France, recognized for their strong performances. At left-back, Marc Cucurella of Spain is included, noted for his consistent play.
The midfield features Rodri and Pedri from Spain. Rodri, a Ballon d’Or winner, has been instrumental in orchestrating Spain’s play. Pedri is recognized for his technical skill. Michael Olise of France is selected as the central attacking midfielder, having provided assists in the tournament.
The attacking wingers include Lamine Yamal of Spain on the right, acknowledged as one of the best young players globally. On the left, Ousmane Dembélé of France is chosen, having scored goals in the tournament. Leading the attack as the striker is Kylian Mbappé, with his eight goals in the competition.
Source: apnews.com
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