France and Spain set for World Cup semi-final in Arlington

ARLINGTON: France will try to reach a third straight World Cup final when they face Spain in the first semi-final on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, more than a month after the expanded 48-team tournament began.

France arrive with an attack led by Kylian Mbappe, while Spain have combined attacking flair with a strong defensive record during the competition. France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that the European champions should be regarded as favourites despite his own side's impressive form.

Deschamps said Spain are effective at both ends of the pitch.

They attack well, they defend well, they don't concede goals. It could be a spectacular match,

France have featured in the last two World Cup finals, lifting the trophy in Russia in 2018 before losing on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina in Qatar four years later, despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick in that final. The French side remain keen on a possible rematch with Argentina, provided Messi's team overcome England in the other semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Mbappe, a Real Madrid forward, has scored eight goals and shares the lead in the Golden Boot race with Messi. France also have support in attack from Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. AFP reported that France are set to start Bradley Barcola on the left wing instead of his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Desire Doue, with Deschamps opting for Barcola's pace in the area where he is expected to come up against Spain's Lamine Yamal.

There is also added significance for France because Deschamps, one of the few men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, is due to leave after the tournament following 14 years in charge.

Spain's momentum and defensive strength

Many observers believe Spain have developed the momentum to challenge for a second World Cup title, but they must first contain France's high-profile frontline. Spain's progress has been driven by both the creativity of Yamal and the goals of Mikel Merino, as well as a defence organised by French-born Aymeric Laporte.

Spain conceded their first goal of the tournament in the 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium. Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, was named player of the match in that win. He said Spain can take confidence from recent victories over France, including a 2-1 success in the Euro 2024 semi-final and a 5-4 win in the 2025 Nations League semi-final.

Speaking about his birthday wish, Yamal said:

The best gift would be a win on Tuesday and a trip to New York,

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side would seek to impose themselves on the game rather than sit back against France.

We'll have to think about their players. We'll try to win those duels and will try to be on the front foot during the game, imposing our style,

Other semi-final pits England against Argentina

The winners in Arlington will meet either England or Argentina in the final. England and Argentina play their semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday in the latest meeting between two countries with a long football rivalry.

The fixture carries historical weight, with past matches shaped by political tensions linked to the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas. It also comes 40 years after Diego Maradona's Hand of God goal helped Argentina beat England 2-1 at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

England captain Harry Kane, who is also in contention for the Golden Boot alongside Messi and Mbappe, said his team would not be affected by the emotions surrounding the contest.

From a player's point of view it's us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down -- like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career,