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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.
Read more‘A joy to watch’: World Cup fans embrace Les Bleus as Deschamps finally takes the brake off
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.
Spain to go on ‘front foot’, says de la Fuente
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.”
You can’t argue against this man
Who are favourites?
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.
But betting markets are not buying it.
They overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts – as do most football pundits, barring perhaps Spanish ones.
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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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