Final before the final? France vs Spain a clash between World Cup's most impressive sides

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=pU0PQ9nR"]The reigning European champions and Didier Deschamps' French team face off[/a] at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is seen by many as a 'final before the final' featuring the two best sides left in the tournament.[/p][p]In the blue corner are [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a], who have progressed serenely to the last four on the back of a multi-pronged strike-force spearheaded by captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Kylian Mbappe[/a] - he has scored eight goals in six games.[/p][p]Mbappe's supporting cast includes Bayern Munich star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olise-michael/E5pvwqkK/"]Michael Olise[/a], Ballon D'Or winner [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dembele-ousmane/zsMC2Ec0/"]Ousmane Dembele[/a] and Paris Saint-Germain duo [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/barcola-bradley/lhGD3RgS/"]Bradley Barcola[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doue-desire/KIUWH2Jq/"]Desire Doue[/a].[/p][p]In the red corner, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a], who have calmly worked their way into the semi-finals with their brand of possession-based, relentless football that has become their trademark under Luis de la Fuente.[/p][image alt="Win probability" id="f1969e82-36f2-4b5b-b05f-6610d87088c4" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="71097855-0c17-4390-b389-53ba3c484572" original-width="3840" original-height="2160" /][p]While individual brilliance has lit up France's campaign, Spain have relied on collective menace - a well-oiled machine founded on the silky passing of midfielders such as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodri/K0G8DB00/"]Rodri[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pedri/baBG8QuI/"]Pedri[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ruiz-fabian/l6HSH2Uo/"]Fabian Ruiz[/a], providing ammunition for teenage winger [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Lamine Yamal[/a].[/p][p]It all adds up to a classic clash of styles that will see Spain attempt to sever the supply lines to Mbappe and company by controlling possession, while simultaneously seeking to put pressure on a France defence that has yet to be seriously tested.[/p][p]While that may be easier said than done, Spain will take encouragement from their recent record against France.[/p][p]La Roja defeated France 5-4 in a high-scoring UEFA Nations League thriller last year, and also scored a 2-1 semi-final win en route to victory at the European Championship in 2024.[/p][infobox id="223b89ff-ddb8-4772-8cfb-8f89aea85267" /][h2]Nothing to fear[/h2][p]Yamal, who will go into Tuesday's blockbuster just a day after turning 19, says Spain have nothing to fear.[/p][p][b]"Obviously we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We'll see what happens, but we have no fear,"[/b] Yamal said after Spain's 2-1 quarter-final defeat of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a] in Los Angeles on Friday.[/p][p][b]"There are two possibilities - either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens. We aren't afraid at all."[/b][/p][p]Spain coach De la Fuente echoed Yamal's message of "no fear".[/p][p][b]"The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles," [/b]De la Fuente said. [b]"We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team.[/b][/p][p][b]"We're aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we're the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals."[/b][/p][embed guid="fb90ee07-646b-44f4-b98d-d5351c2b6403" url="https://x.com/FIFAcom/status/2076516466879295507?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]France, meanwhile, will expect their gilded attacking lineup to pose questions of a steely Spanish defence that only conceded its first goal of the tournament in Friday's win against the Belgians.[/p][p]There is also a tangible sense of purpose driving a united French squad towards a second World Cup title in three tournaments under Deschamps, who will step down at the end of the finals.[/p][p]France's arrival in the last four makes them only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup semi-finals after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] (1982-90 and 2002-14) and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a] (1994, 1998, 2002).[/p][p]Deschamps modestly plays down his own role in transforming France into the superpower of modern international football as they aim for a third straight final appearance.[/p][p][b]"I don't know, having very good players, I guess. But I can't be doing my job too badly,"[/b] Deschamps said last week when asked for the secret to his success.[/p][p][b]"It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important,"[/b] Deschamps added.[/p][p][b]"I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much."[/b][/p][p]That sense of affection is reciprocated by France's players, illustrated most clearly when Mbappe celebrated scoring a goal against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] by sprinting to the sideline to embrace Deschamps, who had just rejoined the team after returning to France following the death of his mother.[/p][p][b]"It is in this squad's DNA to all be together and behind the coach, whatever happens," [/b]said Mbappe.[/p]