France will chase a place in the World Cup final when they face Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, buoyed by the return of key personnel and driven by memories of their Euro 2024 exit. Didier Deschamps confirmed that both Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé have shaken off injury concerns ahead of the semi-final.
The Real Madrid midfielder has missed the past two matches with a muscle problem but is now available for selection. Deschamps may draft him into the starting eleven, potentially replacing Manu Koné despite the midfielder’s impressive display in the quarter-final victory over Morocco.
Captain Mbappé trained on Monday after sustaining an ankle knock during the Morocco match. Deschamps eased fears over the forward’s fitness, stating: “Yes, he trained. He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15.”
Revenge on the agenda
Two years after Spain ended France’s European Championship campaign in Munich, midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery insists the squad is better prepared this time. The teenager made his major tournament debut against Morocco having been an unused member of the 2024 squad, and believes the current group can erase painful memories.
“We have a different team, to my mind,” Zaïre-Emery said. “We are ready. We want to win against Spain and get our revenge for the Euros.” The Paris Saint-Germain player also stressed the squad’s unity, noting: “This French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, and that’s what makes France. We are a united group, we are happy to be together, and that’s all that matters.”
However, Deschamps has attempted to play down the revenge narrative, referencing additional recent defeats including a 5-4 Nations League semi-final loss to Luis de la Fuente’s side last June. “There is no lesson to be learned,” the manager said. “There’s no revenge, the past is in the past. I’m focused on tomorrow’s match. If it motivates the players, all the better.”
Spain labelled favourites
Despite France’s scintillating attacking football en route to the last four, Deschamps maintains Spain enter the contest as favourites. “I confirm it,” he said regarding his earlier assessment. “Forget about the first game against Cape Verde. Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites.”
The victors will advance to the World Cup final, with the clash promising a spectacular contest between two offensively gifted sides. Deschamps acknowledged both he and his Spanish counterpart know how to defend well, but expects a high-quality encounter in Texas.