France are preparing to face Spain in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Dallas, with midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery declaring that his team are determined to exact revenge for their painful exit at the same stage of Euro 2024. The match offers Les Bleus a chance to overturn the memory of their defeat two years ago in Munich, when Spain emerged as worthy winners and went on to lift the European Championship trophy. Now, with a place in the World Cup final at stake, the stakes are even higher for both sides.
Zaïre-Emery, who has become a key figure in the French midfield, expressed confidence that his team can deliver when it matters most. «We want revenge for the Euros,» he said. «That defeat hurt us a lot, but we have grown since then. We are playing better football now, and we believe we can beat them.» The 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star has been instrumental in France's resurgence, which has seen them score freely and entertain fans with a more expansive style than the cautious approach that characterised their Euro 2024 campaign.
France manager Didier Deschamps is expected to bring Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni back into the starting lineup if he is fully fit. Tchouaméni has been nursing a minor injury but has trained with the squad in the lead-up to the match. His return would add steel to the French midfield, complementing the creativity of Zaïre-Emery and the experience of Antoine Griezmann. Deschamps has overseen a tactical evolution since the disappointment of Euro 2024, with France now averaging more than two goals per game in the tournament.
Spain, under coach Luis de la Fuente, remain a formidable opponent. They have maintained the possession-based style that brought them success at the Euros, and their young squad has gained valuable experience over the past two years. The Spanish team knocked out Germany in the quarter-finals and have shown resilience in tight matches. De la Fuente has warned his players not to underestimate a French side that has «found its rhythm again».
The match in Dallas is expected to draw a large crowd, with both sets of fans travelling in significant numbers. The winner will face either Argentina or Portugal in the final, adding extra motivation for both teams. For France, reaching the final would be a vindication of Deschamps' decision to refresh the squad after the Euros, bringing in younger players like Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola while retaining the core of veterans such as Kylian Mbappé and Griezmann.
Former Spain international Xabi Alonso, who was unveiled as Chelsea manager earlier this week, weighed in on the semi-final. Speaking at his press conference, Alonso said: «It is a difficult one to call. Spain have a clear identity and they know how to control games. But France have so much individual quality, and they are playing with freedom. It could go either way.» Alonso's comments reflect the general uncertainty among pundits, who see the match as too close to predict.
France's path to the semi-finals has been impressive. They topped their group with maximum points, then defeated Senegal in the round of 16 and England in a tense quarter-final that ended 2-1. Spain, meanwhile, have been equally convincing, beating Croatia, Mexico, and the Netherlands before overcoming Germany. Both teams have shown they can win in different ways, whether through controlling possession or hitting on the counter-attack.
For Deschamps, the match represents a chance to silence critics who questioned his tactics after the Euros. «My team are not favourites,» he said in his pre-match press conference. «Spain have been the best team in Europe for a while. But we have our strengths, and we will use them.» The French coach has stressed the importance of discipline and concentration, particularly against a Spanish side that can punish any lapse in concentration.
The semi-final kicks off at 8pm local time in Dallas, with millions expected to watch around the world. For Zaïre-Emery and his teammates, the goal is clear: write a new chapter in French football history by avenging the past and booking a place in the World Cup final. «We are ready,» he said. «We have been waiting for this moment.»
