Kylian Mbappe skipped a chunk of France’s practice session ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal against Spain. That sounds worse than it actually is, according to manager Didier Deschamps.
The France captain and Real Madrid forward was pulled from part of the team’s preparation in Dallas. Deschamps downplayed the absence quickly, saying it was a planned reduction in workload, not a reaction to injury.
“Yes, he trained,” Deschamps said when asked directly if Mbappe participated. “He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15.”
Mbappe came off late in France’s quarterfinal win over Morocco after what looked like a rolled ankle. He shrugged off the concern after that game, but anytime the world’s most recognizable footballer misses any training time, the alarm bells start ringing on social media. The team has not indicated any real worry.
The Midfield Boost France Needed
Aurelien Tchouameni is getting closer to full fitness after a hamstring issue kept him out of France’s last two World Cup matches. That is probably the bigger story for Deschamps in the short term.
Tchouameni has missed both the round of 16 and the quarterfinal. The team has managed without him, but Spain presents a different kind of test. Spain’s midfield controls tempo better than anyone in this tournament, and having a destroyer like Tchouameni available changes the math for Deschamps.
“For the last match, the risk was too high,” Deschamps admitted. “He is better today, although we cannot say he is 100 percent recovered. His last game was two weeks ago, but that is not prohibitive. The important thing is that he is available.”
Available does not mean starting. Tchouameni could slot in as a second-half substitution if the game turns into a chase for possession. But the fact that Deschamps mentioned him at all suggests the coaching staff sees a role for him against Spain.
A Rematch Two Years in the Making
Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semifinals and went on to win the whole thing. That loss still lingers for this French group. Mbappe played in that game and did not score. Spain’s defense suffocated him in a way few teams have managed.
Luis de la Fuente does not have any fresh injury concerns heading into this one. Spain comes in healthy and confident, playing with the kind of swagger that comes from being the reigning European champion.
France has the individual talent edge. Spain has the system and the recent head-to-head result. Something has to give Saturday night in Dallas.
Mbappe will be out there. How many minutes, in what condition, and whether Tchouameni joins him on the field are the real questions Deschamps has to answer between now and kickoff.
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