Deschamps names Spain World Cup favourites before France semi-final

DALLAS, United States (AFP) — Ahead of France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain, coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that he still rates La Roja as favourites for the tournament.

Les Bleus meet the European champions on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a contest widely framed as a meeting of the competition’s strongest sides.

France have impressed with a run of striking displays, while Spain’s path has gathered pace after a surprise goalless opening draw with Cape Verde. Deschamps nonetheless cast his team — defeated by Spain in their previous two encounters — as underdogs for the clash.

“Forget about the first game against Cape Verde,” Deschamps said of Spain’s campaign. “Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites. “I don’t want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (de la Fuente) and their team — he knows very well that people are expecting great things of Spain. “But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They’ve only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches.”

Asked for his reply at a press conference the evening before the match, De la Fuente smiled.

“Since the beginning, I’ve always said that the fact that people say we’re favourites or not doesn’t mean anything,” De la Fuente told reporters. “It doesn’t. It’s not decisive.”

“We are two great national teams facing each other, just as there are two great national teams facing each other in the other semi-final,” De la Fuente added, underlining that his side can handle expectations of success.

“Regardless of whether we’re favorites or not, it doesn’t mean create additional pressure,” he said. “We have that pressure anyway. We want to do well for our country.”

Deschamps expects a memorable contest. “With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game,” he said.

He is also largely unfazed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who found the net when La Roja beat France in the 2024 European Championship semi-final and in last year’s UEFA Nations League.

“We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths,” Deschamps said. “Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he’s one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch. “And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions. “When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either.”

France captain Kylian Mbappe left the quarter-final against Morocco late in the second half after a knock. Deschamps said Mbappe is “100 percent” ready for the semi-final.