France boss Didier Deschamps says Spain are favourites in World Cup semi-final
By Press Association Sport staff
France head coach Didier Deschamps insists Spain will start as favourites for their World Cup semi-final clash in Dallas on Tuesday night.
France head into the last four showdown as the world number one-ranked team and having won all their games to date, while Luis de la Fuente’s men kicked off with a poor goalless draw against Cape Verde.
But Deschamps told a press conference: “If you see what Spain did in their first match, forget about that, but in the rest Spain confirmed they are the favourite.
“They can attack and defend well, and they have only conceded one goal. We know how to defend well but with the quality of the two teams offensively we think it is going to be a spectacular game.”
Meanwhile, Deschamps shrugged off any lingering doubt about captain and Golden Boot-leading star Kylian Mbappe, who went off early in the last eight win over Morocco, saying simply: “He trained today.”
One of the reasons Deschamps may maintain Spain are favourites is the form of young star Lamine Yamal, but France defender Ibrahima Konate says it would be wrong to focus on the strength of just one player.
Asked about the threat of Yamal, Konate responded: “The goal isn’t to focus on just one player in particular, because it’s the entire team that can cause harm. So, it’s not just Lamine. It’s the whole team.
“It’s clear we’re going to talk about what they’ve been offering since the start of this competition, because what they offer offensively is quite exceptional.”
Last summer, Spain came out on top in an entertaining 5-4 victory over France in the Nations League, having also beaten them 2-1 in Euro 2024.
Spain will be looking to earn another win in a major competition and continue their good record as they seek to reach another final.
Midfielder Rodri explained: “France are one of the best teams here, in great form, but so are Spain. We can beat them, we’ve seen that at the Euros and in the Nations League.
“We’ve got the feel of things as we went, and now we’re in a good moment. I see a team that’s as competitive as (we were) at the Euros.”
The 30-year-old Manchester City player added: “This is a big challenge against one of the teams playing the best and we’re looking forward to it.”
