# ‘We have a different team’: Revenge for Euro exit drives France ahead of Spain semi-final

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/we-have-a-different-team-revenge-for-euro-exit-drives-france-ahead-of-spain-semi-final/
- Published: 2026-07-13T23:45:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-14T12:14:04+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/14/france-team-news-spain-world-cup-semi-final-euro-revenge
- Topics: Americas, Europe, Sport, World

## Key points

- 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

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.