Spain squad pose earlier than the World Cup quarterfinal match between Spain and Belgium
| Photograph Credit score: AP
France should not afraid of Spain going into their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday (July 21, 2026), defender Ibrahima Konate mentioned on Sunday, however they’re acutely aware of their opponents’ high quality and their near-perfect backline.
Spain have conceded just one objective in your complete event to achieve the final 4 seeking a second World Cup title.
France, winners in 2018 and finalists 4 years in the past, know Spain very properly, having misplaced to them within the Euro 2024 final 4 and likewise in final yr’s Nations League semifinals.
“You can’t concern anybody,” France centre-back Konate instructed a press convention. “We’ll now put together as finest as attainable and hope the consequence in the long run will favour us.”
“Spain are an distinctive crew, with lots of particular person high quality, so we cannot be specializing in only one participant despite the fact that Lamine (Yamal) is a nice participant,” mentioned Konate, who had a short substitute look within the win over Norway of their ultimate group match.
Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have been France’s beginning centre-backs, because the event favourites eye their fifth World Cup ultimate.
The French have reached 4 of the final seven World Cup finals. Ought to they participate within the July 19 showdown in New York, they may maintain the comparability with West Germany, arguably the final word event nation with 4 finals between 1974 and 1990.
However Konate mentioned the French have been not losing any ideas on what may be.
“We’re staying humble, we cannot fall into that entice,” he mentioned.
They might want to discover a solution to break down this World Cup’s only backline, in addition to comprise as a lot as attainable Lamine’s runs down the wings.
“I’d not say ‘concern’ however we’re acutely aware of their high quality,” mentioned fellow France centre-back Maxence Lacroix. “They’ve received all their matches (besides a 0-0 draw in opposition to Cape Verde within the group), so we respect them. They’ve top quality gamers however we need to win.”
Prime of the listing is Spain winger Lamine, who has earned reward from his coach for preserving opponents’ defenders busy as teammate use the areas created.
“We’ll defend properly, the perfect,” Lacroix mentioned. “Lamine is an excellent participant and he has proven he can harm groups at this World Cup. We’ll do the work that’s wanted.”
Printed – July 13, 2026 04:21 am IST
