Spain’s opponent in the World Cup semi-final is one of the most feared teams in international football. France beat Belgium 2–1 in a tight quarter-final, having already overcome Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco on their way to the last four.
The numbers
- 16 goals scored and only 2 conceded.
- Kylian Mbappé: eight goals and three assists, the tournament’s top scorer.
- Ousmane Dembélé: four goals and two assists.
- Michael Olise: five assists, more than any other player.
Deschamps’s method
Didier Deschamps, in charge of France since 2012, has built his success on a simple principle: a solid defence creates the conditions to win. His teams are compact, win their individual duels and attack quickly once they recover the ball. The results speak for themselves: world champions in 2018, finalists in 2022 and now semi-finalists again.
The midfield
Deschamps’s choice of midfielders — N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaïre-Emery — shows his priorities: physical power, energy and defensive work rather than a classic creative playmaker. Rabiot and Koné are expected to form the double pivot, breaking up the opposition’s play and feeding the attackers.
The attack
Up front, France has an extraordinary range of options. Alongside Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise, Deschamps can call on Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Marcus Thuram, Maghnes Akliouche and Jean-Philippe Mateta — pace, dribbling and finishing that can punish any defensive mistake.
A possible weakness
France are at their best in transition, with space to run into. Against teams that keep possession and deny them counter-attacks, they can look less fluent, as the midfield lacks a natural organiser to unlock compact defences.
That is precisely where Spain may see an opportunity. A side built on controlling the ball could limit France’s chances to break — but any loss of possession in midfield could be punished in seconds by the speed of Mbappé and his team-mates.
The verdict
France are not a team to fear so much as one to respect. The semi-final looks like a clash of styles: Spain’s possession against France’s power and pace. Whoever imposes their game is likely to reach the final.
