In the red corner, Spain, who have calmly worked their way into the semi-finals with their brand of possession-based, relentless football that has become their trademark under Luis de la Fuente.<\/p>\n
While individual brilliance has lit up France’s campaign, Spain have relied on collective menace – a well-oiled machine founded on the silky passing of midfielders such as Rodri, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, providing ammunition for teenage winger Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n
It all adds up to a classic clash of styles that will see Spain attempt to sever the supply lines to Mbappe and company by controlling possession, while simultaneously seeking to put pressure on a France defence that has yet to be seriously tested.<\/p>\n
While that may be easier said than done, Spain will take encouragement from their recent record against France.<\/p>\n
La Roja defeated France 5-4 in a high-scoring UEFA Nations League thriller last year, and also scored a 2-1 semi-final win en route to victory at the European Championship in 2024.<\/p>\n
Nothing to fear <\/p>\n
![\"Lamine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/583c94fad4f3cf6bce453a781891eae7e4352330.jpg\")
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Lamine Yamal says previous victories mean Spain will have no fear when they take on favourites France in their World Cup semi-final showdown \u00a9 FRANCK FIFE \/ AFP <\/p>\n
Yamal, who will go into Tuesday’s blockbuster just a day after turning 19, says Spain have nothing to fear.<\/p>\n
“Obviously we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We’ll see what happens, but we have no fear,” Yamal said after Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.<\/p>\n
Spain’s unbeaten defence to meet Belgium’s late surge in LA quarter-final<\/a><\/p>\n “There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We’ll see what happens. We aren’t afraid at all.”<\/p>\n Spain coach De la Fuente echoed Yamal’s message of “no fear”.<\/p>\n “The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles,” De la Fuente said. “We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team.<\/p>\n “We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals.”<\/p>\n France, meanwhile, will expect their gilded attacking line-up to pose questions of a steely Spanish defence that only conceded its first goal of the tournament in Friday’s win against the Belgians.<\/p>\n