France boss Didier Deschamps is predicting a “spectacular” semi-final when his thrilling aspect tackle Spain in a heavyweight World Cup showdown in Dallas on Tuesday.
Spain beat France within the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on their method to being topped European champions earlier than defeating Les Bleus in a nine-goal last-four thriller within the Nations League final yr.
“The previous is prior to now,” mentioned Deschamps, who’s stepping down on the finish of the match after 14 years in cost.
“They [Spain] did win prior to now however I’m trying ahead to tomorrow.
“We are actually at one other stage. We need to be within the closing.”
Two-time world champions France will turn out to be solely the third nation to succeed in three straight World Cup finals in the event that they win in Texas (kick-off 20:00 BST).
West Germany in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and Brazil in 1994, 1998 and 2002 are the one international locations to handle the feat to date.
Deschamps, who captained France to the world title in 1998, managed them to World Cup glory in 2018 earlier than they had been crushed on penalties by Argentina within the 2022 closing in Qatar.
He mentioned Spain will begin the semi-final as favourites.
“They’ve solely conceded just one purpose in six video games,” added Deschamps.
“We all know this might be a most spectacular recreation. [Spain boss] Luis [de la Fuente] and myself we all know learn how to defend and with the standard of two groups offensively, we are able to assume it’ll be a spectacular recreation.”
Later, De la Fuente performed down Deschamps’ declare that Spain are favourites.
“It doesn’t suggest something,” he mentioned. “We’re two nice nationwide groups dealing with each other.
“Whether or not we’re favourites or not doesn’t suggest additional stress for us. We have now that stress anyway as a result of we need to do nicely for our nation.”
