France and their deadly attack wey Kylian Mbappe dey lead go try reach third consecutive World Cup final on Tuesday as dem take on Spain team wey combine flair with defensive steel.
More than one month since this mammoth World Cup kick off, the first semi-final don promise mouthwatering spectacle for AT&T Stadium for Arlington, Texas.
France coach Didier Deschamps insist on Monday say Spain go be the favourites.
“Dem attack well, dem defend well, dem no dey concede goals. E fit be spectacular match,” Deschamps yarn.
France don reach the past two World Cup finals, winning for 2018 for Russia and losing on penalties to Lionel Messi Argentina four years ago for Qatar for an epic final despite hat-trick from Mbappe.
Having win their first global title for 1998, Les Bleus dey aim to win the World Cup for third time, while La Roja — despite Spain rich footballing tradition — don lift the famous trophy just once, for South Africa for 2010.
Many observers believe this year Spain squad get the quality to bring home a second title, and dem don build momentum since dem stumble for goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde — but first dem need to stop France star-studded frontline.
Real Madrid forward Mbappe don score eight goals to lead the Golden Boot race for this tournament alongside Messi.
Messi get impressive supporting cast, including Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, the English-born forward wey pace and dribbling dey pull defences out of shape, wey dey allow Mbappe the space to work im magic.
Even the defence, wey dem consider France weak point before the tournament, don hold up impressively.
Defeat to Argentina for the final for Doha four years ago na bitter experience for France, and the desire for rematch strong — if Messi fit lead im team past England for their semi-final for Atlanta on Wednesday.
Adding to France motivation, France coach Didier Deschamps dey leave after this tournament following 14 years for charge.
Already part of the elite club to don win the World Cup as player and coach, Deschamps go dearly love to collect a third title.
For Lamine Yamal, wey celebrate im 19th birthday on Monday by buying jewel-encrusted necklace wey im show off to the media, Spain get the player wey go likely succeed Messi and the far younger Mbappe as football next superstar.
Yamal inspire Spain to glory for Euro 2024, but im no look sharp as im come into im first World Cup still dey recover from hamstring injury.
The Barcelona player don improve steadily and win the player-of-the-match award for the 2-1 quarter-final win against Belgium.
The teenager point out say Spain get the upper hand on France, since dem don beat dem 2-1 for the semi-final of Euro 2024 and for high-scoring Nations League semi-final for 2025 wey finish 5-4.
Yamal raise eyebrows after Spain 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Belgium last week after dem quote am say France, rather than Spain, suppose dey “afraid” given those recent defeats against La Roja.
Im address those comments for press conference on Monday.
“Dem ask me if I dey afraid of France, and I say no,” Yamal explain. “We be European champions. E just be football.”
Im ideal birthday present, im insist, go be place for Sunday World Cup final.
“I no don receive many gifts yet. The best gift go be win on Tuesday and trip to New York,” im yarn.
Along with the attacking guile of Yamal and the goalscoring of Mikel Merino — im don score late winners for their last two games — Spain run to the semi-final don build on solid defence wey French-born Aymeric Laporte dey marshall.
Belgium goal for the quarter-final na the first Spain don concede for the entire tournament.
Coach Luis de la Fuente, wey team dey play possession-based style wey make am hard for opponents to get the ball, say Spain go go on the “front foot” against the French.
“We go think about their players. We go try to win those duels and go try to be on the front foot during the game, imposing our style,” im yarn on Monday.
