The first World Cup semifinal in Dallas is here, and both France and Spain have locked in their starting lineups. France made two changes from their quarterfinal win, swapping Désiré Doué and Manu Koné for Bradley Barcola and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The move was widely expected, especially after Koné picked up a knock in training. Barcola brings pace on the left, while Tchouaméni adds defensive steel in midfield. It’s a calculated bet by Didier Deschamps.
Spain, meanwhile, rolled out a lineup that looks almost identical to the one that beat Germany in extra time. Fabián Ruiz keeps his spot in midfield, which means Pedri starts a little higher up the pitch. Dani Olmo is on the bench again, which raised a few eyebrows among the Spanish press. But Luis de la Fuente has stuck with the group that got him here, and it’s hard to argue with results. Spain hasn’t lost a competitive match since November 2024.
What’s at stake here
This is France’s chance at back-to-back World Cup finals. They won it all in 2022 and have looked dangerous throughout this tournament, even if they haven’t always been clinical. Spain, on the other hand, is chasing their second World Cup final appearance after the 2010 win in Johannesburg. That team is legendary. This group is trying to build its own legacy.
The atmosphere at AT&T Stadium should be electric. The crowd is expected to be heavily pro-Spain, given the large Mexican-American population in Texas and the affinity for Spanish-style soccer. But France has plenty of fans in the states too. It might feel like a neutral site, but the noise will tell a different story.
One thing to watch early: how Spain handles France’s press. The French midfield is big and physical, and Tchouaméni specifically has a knack for breaking up play high up the field. If Spain can’t get the ball to Pedri and Gavi in space, they’ll struggle to create chances. And if France gets an early goal, they’re perfectly comfortable sitting back and hitting on the counter. That’s how they beat England in the quarters.
Who’s your pick? Let us know.
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