France faces Spain this Tuesday at 21 p.m. at Dallas Stadium in Arlington for a place in the 2026 World Cup final. Les Bleus arrive with six wins in six matches, but they are up against a team that eliminated them in their last two encounters, in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and then at the same stage of the 2025 Nations League. The winner will face England or Argentina on Sunday, July 19, in New York.
Two French defeats that have left their mark
The first defeat dates back to July 9, 2024, in Munich. France opened the scoring in the 9th minute thanks to Randal Kolo Muani, assisted by Kylian Mbappé. Lamine Yamal equalized with a curling shot, before Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead. Les Bleus lost 2-1 and exited the Euros just shy of the final. La Roja went on to win the tournament.
Eleven months later, on June 5, 2025, the two teams met again in Stuttgart for the Nations League semi-final. Spain emerged victorious once more, this time in a spectacular match that ended 5-4. Lamine Yamal scored twice. France pulled one back late in the game, but were unable to force extra time.
These two encounters give a special dimension to the Dallas semi-final. France has been eliminated twice by Spain in the semi-finals of an international competition. Lamine Yamal scored three goals against Les Bleus in those two matches, one at the Euros and two in the Nations League.
Six matches and six victories for France in this World Cup
On the positive side, France finished first in Group I after beating Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0, and then Norway 4-1. Les Bleus scored ten goals during this first phase and conceded only two. The knockout stage confirmed their strength. Sweden were dominated 3-0 in the round of 32, with a brace from Kylian Mbappé and a goal from Bradley Barcola. Paraguay then put up more of a fight, but France qualified with a 1-0 victory. In the quarterfinals, the players of Didier Deschamps They beat Morocco 2-0. France's record now stands at 16 goals scored and only two conceded. Mike Maignan hasn't been beaten since the last group stage match against Norway. The defense, comprised of Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Lucas Digne, has kept three consecutive clean sheets.
France's strength also lies in its ability to quickly change the tempo. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué can attack spaces as soon as they win back possession. However, the midfield must prevent Spain from establishing possession too close to Maignan's penalty area.
Spain conceded only one goal
Spain began their tournament with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. They then defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0 to finish top of Group H without conceding a goal. La Roja continued their run by dominating Austria 3-0 in the round of 32. They then eliminated Portugal 1-0 and Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals. The Belgian goal was the only one conceded by Spain in their six matches at this World Cup. Mikel Merino played a decisive role in the last two rounds. Coming on as a substitute, the Arsenal midfielder scored the winning goal against Portugal and then the decisive goal against Belgium. Mikel Oyarzabal was Spain's top scorer in the tournament with four goals. Luis de la Fuente's team relied on Rodri to orchestrate the play and protect the defense. Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Olmo possess the technical quality necessary to retain possession under pressure. On the wings, Lamine Yamal and the other Spanish attackers seek out duels and force opposing defenders back.
Deschamps refuses to talk about revenge
Didier Deschamps does not want to base his speech around the eliminations of 2024 and 2025. During his press conferenceThe French coach acknowledged Spain's two victories, while also noting that the teams and circumstances had changed. : "The last two semi-finals? What's behind us is behind us, there's no revenge. They won those two matches, congratulations to them. What interests me is tomorrow's match. It's a World Cup semi-final with a place in the final at stake. We're going to do everything we can to make it ours."
The coach also detailed the tactical challenge posed by Spain. : "It's a balance of power. Spain wants the ball and possession, they have the ability to put a lot of pressure on, and if they've only conceded one goal, it's because the opponent is struggling to get the ball and create chances. We, too, are a team that needs the ball and is capable of creating problems for the opponent."
Deschamps reassured everyone about Kylian Mbappé's physical condition, as he was rested during part of the last training session due to ankle discomfort. The coach confirmed that his captain was doing well and was 100% available. Aurélien Tchouaméni has also been given the green light to participate in the match.
De la Fuente believes that France has progressed
Luis de la Fuente refused to name a favorite. The Spanish coach believes that both teams have improved since their previous encounters and that France is at a higher level than they were during Euro 2024 or the 2025 Nations League. : "I think they're a much better team. They, like us, have grown, and the performances of both teams are now superior to those of two years ago. The players have progressed individually and collectively."
The Spanish coach wants to take the initiative, while avoiding giving space to the French attackers. : "We will try to impose our style and reduce the opponent's strengths. The team that is most balanced in all areas will be closest to victory."
The precedent of 2006 remains favorable to Les Bleus.
This semi-final will be only the second France-Spain match in World Cup history. The first took place on June 27, 2006, in the round of 16 in Hanover. David Villa opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Spain, but Franck Ribéry equalized before halftime. Patrick Vieira then Zinedine Zidane had given Les Bleus a 3-1 victory. Twenty years later, the two teams meet again with a place in the final at stake. Spain wants to confirm its recent dominance. France seeks to end a run of two defeats that have cost them two international finals. In Dallas, Les Bleus' perfect record will be challenged by the best defense in the tournament and the opponent that has given them the most trouble for the past two years.
Note that a minute's silence will be observed before kick-off. In memory of the victims of the Nice attack of July 14, 2016.
