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Deschamps predicts ‘spectacular’ France v 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 manager Didier Deschamps has predicted a "spectacular" World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, as the two European heavyweights meet in a repeat of recent tournament clashes. Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-final and again in a nine-goal Nations League thriller last year, but Deschamps, who is stepping down after 14 years in charge once the tournament ends, said "the past is in the past" and that his side are targeting the final.
France can become only the third nation, after West Germany and Brazil, to reach three successive World Cup finals if they win, while Deschamps conceded Spain will start as favourites after conceding just one goal in six games. Captain Kylian Mbappe, who has scored eight goals at the tournament, has been confirmed fit despite a late substitution with an ankle issue in the quarter-final win over Morocco, while Spain boss Luis de la Fuente played down suggestions his side are favourites and invoked Julius Caesar in warning of the "suffering" required to succeed.
In short
- Deschamps predicts a "spectacular" France v Spain World Cup semi-final
- France could reach a third straight World Cup final with a win
- Mbappe declared fit despite ankle issue from quarter-final win
Explained simply
France and Spain are two of Europe’s leading national football teams, with a history of meeting in major tournaments. The World Cup is football’s biggest international competition, and its semi-finals decide which teams go through to the final.
Didier Deschamps has managed France since 2012 and is due to leave the role after this tournament. France captain Kylian Mbappé is a key player, while Spain are managed by Luis de la Fuente.
A place in the final is at stake, and a win would put France within reach of a third consecutive World Cup final. The teams’ recent meetings and their strong tournament records have added interest to the match.
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