Spain dropped its starting lineup for Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal against France in Dallas, and the big news is Fabián Ruiz keeping his spot in midfield. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been one of Spain’s most consistent performers this tournament, so it’s not exactly a shock. But with Pedri and Gavi waiting in the wings, Luis de la Fuente had a decision to make. He went with the veteran.
Ruiz has started every match so far. He’s not flashy, but he rarely loses the ball and he’s got a knack for arriving late in the box — that goal against Germany in the quarters was pure timing. France, on the other hand, will be without Adrián Rabiot due to a suspension, which tilts the midfield battle a bit in Spain’s favor. Or at least it should.
The midfield puzzle
France’s strength has been its defensive structure, not its creativity in the middle. Spain will look to overload the center with Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Olmo — all three comfortable in tight spaces. The question is whether that approach works against a France side willing to sit deep and hit on the counter. Kylian Mbappé didn’t look fully fit in the quarterfinal, but he’s still Kylian Mbappé.
Spain’s backline has been solid, though. Unai Simón in goal has been calm under pressure, and Aymeric Laporte’s partnership with Robin Le Normand has only gotten better as the tournament progressed. If Spain can keep Mbappé quiet for 60 minutes, the pressure shifts entirely to France’s midfield to create something.
What the lineup tells us
Luis de la Fuente isn’t experimenting here. He’s sticking with what worked. The same XI that beat Germany in extra time is the same XI starting against France. That kind of continuity can be reassuring to a team, but it also means France knows exactly what to expect. They’ll have watched that Germany game back a dozen times.
One wrinkle: Spain’s wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, have been electric but inconsistent. Yamal is 16 years old. He’s going to have moments where he looks lost. Williams has the speed to burn any fullback, but his final ball has let him down more than once. If those two are clicking, Spain might run France off the pitch. If they’re not, it could be a long night.
France hasn’t named its starting XI yet, but expect Deschamps to load up on defensive midfielders and let Mbappé roam. That’s been the formula all tournament, and it’s gotten them to the semifinals without conceding more than one goal in any match.
The winner goes to the final. The loser goes home. Simple as that.
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