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‘We have a different team’: Revenge for Euro exit drives France ahead of Spain semi-final
France squad
- Full squad
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1 Brice SAMBA Goalkeeper
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2 Malo GUSTO Defender
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3 Lucas Digne Defender
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4 Dayot UPAMECANO Defender
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5 Jules KOUNDE Defender
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6 Manu KONE Midfielder
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7 Ousmane DEMBELE Forward
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8 Aurelien TCHOUAMENI Midfielder
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9 Marcus THURAM Forward
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10 Kylian MBAPPE Forward
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11 Michael OLISE Forward
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12 Bradley BARCOLA Forward
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13 Ngolo KANTE Midfielder
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14 Adrien RABIOT Midfielder
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15 Ibrahima KONATE Defender
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16 Mike MAIGNAN Goalkeeper
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17 William SALIBA Defender
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18 Warren ZAIRE-EMERY Midfielder
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19 Theo HERNANDEZ Defender
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20 Desire DOUE Forward
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21 Lucas HERNANDEZ Defender
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22 Jean-Philippe MATETA Forward
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23 Robin RISSER Goalkeeper
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24 Rayan CHERKI Midfielder
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25 Maghnes AKLIOUCHE Midfielder
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26 Maxence Lacroix Defender
Spain squad
- Full squad
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1 David RAYA Goalkeeper
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2 Marc PUBILL Defender
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3 Alex GRIMALDO Defender
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4 Eric GARCIA Defender
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5 Marcos LLORENTE Defender
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6 Mikel MERINO Midfielder
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7 Ferran TORRES Forward
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8 Fabian RUIZ Midfielder
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9 GAVI Midfielder
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10 Dani OLMO Forward
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11 Yeremy PINO Forward
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12 Pedro PORRO Defender
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13 Joan GARCIA Goalkeeper
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14 Aymeric LAPORTE Defender
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15 Alex BAENA Midfielder
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16 RODRI Midfielder
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17 Nico WILLIAMS Forward
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18 Martin ZUBIMENDI Midfielder
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19 Lamine YAMAL Forward
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20 PEDRI Midfielder
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21 Mikel OYARZABAL Forward
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22 Pau CUBARSI Defender
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23 Unai SIMON Goalkeeper
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24 Marc CUCURELLA Defender
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25 Victor MUNOZ Forward
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26 Borja IGLESIAS Forward
France's midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery says the team wants "revenge" for their Euro 2024 semi-final defeat when they face Spain in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final in Dallas. The match carries added significance as Spain, the reigning European champions, beat France in Munich two years ago, but Didier Deschamps' side have since transformed their fortunes, reaching the last four with impressive attacking displays, making this meeting an even higher-stakes rematch.
Deschamps may recall Aurélien Tchouaméni for Manu Koné if he is fit after a muscle injury, and confirmed Kylian Mbappé trained despite an ankle knock, easing fears he might miss the game. Deschamps, who named Spain as favourites, played down talk of revenge, noting France have also lost 5-4 to Spain in last June's Nations League semi-final, but insisted he is focused solely on Tuesday's match. Zaïre-Emery also responded to remarks by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who was accused of racism for questioning the French team's make-up, saying the squad's diverse backgrounds are what define France.
In short
- France face Spain in World Cup semi-final, seeking Euro 2024 revenge
- Tchouaméni could return; Mbappé fit despite ankle knock
- Deschamps downplays revenge talk, calls Spain favourites
Explained simply
France and Spain are meeting in the semi-final of the World Cup on Tuesday in Dallas. Spain defeated France in the semi-final of Euro 2024 two years ago in Munich, giving this rematch considerable historical weight.
Spain are the defending European champions and heading into this match as favourites. France have developed significantly since their Euro exit and have progressed through the World Cup with strong attacking displays, though they also suffered a recent 5-4 loss to Spain in the Nations League semi-final.
Some French players have spoken about seeking revenge for past defeats, whilst manager Didier Deschamps has maintained that the focus should remain solely on Tuesday's match. The French squad has also addressed criticism regarding its composition, emphasising that the team's multicultural nature represents the identity of France.