14/07/2026

‘Final before final’ TUESDAY • 14th JULY 2026 Spain’s stingiest defence faces its toughest examination yet against a free-scoring France side in a blockbuster World Cup semifinal

S PAIN will attempt to neutralise one of the most potent attacking arsenals in World Cup history tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) when they take on France in a heavyweight semifinal showdown. The reigning European champions and Didier Deschamps’ French team face off 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. In the blue corner are France, who have pro gressed serenely to the last four on the back of a multi-pronged strike-force spearheaded by cap tain Kylian Mbappe – he has scored eight goals in six games. Mbappe’s supporting cast includes Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. In the red corner, Spain, who have calmly worked their way into the semifinals with their brand of possession-based, relentless football that has become their trademark under Luis de la Fuente.

“Obviously we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We’ll see what happens, but we have no fear,” Yamal said after Spain’s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat of Belgium in Los Angeles on Saturday. “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.” Spain coach De la Fuente echoed Yamal’s message of “no fear”. “The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles,” De la Fuente said. “We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beat ing any team. “We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semifinals.” France, meanwhile, will expect their gilded attack ing line-up to pose questions of a steely Spanish defence that only conceded its first goal of the tour

nament in Friday’s win against the Belgians. There is also a tangible sense of purpose driving a united French squad towards a sec ond World Cup title in three tourna ments under Deschamps, who will step down at the end of the finals. France’s arrival in the last four makes them only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup semifinals after Germany (1982-90 and 2002-14) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002). 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. “I don’t know, having very good players I guess. But I can’t be doing my job too badly,” Deschamps said last week when asked for the secret to his suc cess. “It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very impor tant,” Deschamps added. “I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying them selves so much.” – AFP

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 Rodri, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, pro viding ammunition for teenage winger Lamine Yamal. 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 posses sion, while simultaneously seeking to put pressure on a France defence that has yet to be seriously tested. While that may be easier said than done, Spain will take encouragement from their recent record against France. La Roja defeated France 5-4 in a high-scoring Uefa Nations League thriller last year, and also scored a 2-1 semifinal win en route to victory at the European Championship in 2024. Yamal, who will go into tomorrow’s blockbuster just a day after turning 19, says Spain have nothing to fear.

FROM TOP: Spain’s Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte and Pedro Porro. – REUTERSPIC

FROM TOP: France’s Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele. – REUTERSPIC

Les Blues unfazed

‘It was a super hard day’

Bigger World Cup beckons

p 28 Irrepressible Sinner

p 29

p 30

p 31

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com