Spain 'here to suffer' and France unites against racism ahead of World Cup semi

World Cup: Spain 'here to suffer' and France unites against racism ahead of semifinal

Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal will be hoping to star in the semifinal. (Getty Images)

France coach Didier Deschamps has proven to be a master chemist throughout this tournament, making oil and water mix, and turning it into liquid gold.

His famed front four of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and the combination of Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué have gelled together in a way that has forced other teams into resignation and delighted fans with their poetic entertainment.

Deschamps has transformed this team in a relatively short period, and now, although he insists Spain will be the favourite in their World Cup semi-final in Dallas, he is not fooling anyone.

Didier Deschamps led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup, and his team is again the title favourite. (Getty Images)

La Roja, while not as creatively brilliant as Les Bleus in North America, have been stingy in defence and wily in always finding a way through adversity.

Plus, they have a certain teenager who has yet to explode at this tournament truly, and a coach invoking the aura of the Roman Empire.

They have the upper hand in the European powerhouses' most recent meetings and a big, bold attitude to match.

France's irresistible chemistry

The sides will clash on July 14, local time, on France's national holiday, Bastille Day.

France triumphed in a bitter, gritty contest with Paraguay on America's Independence Day, and now hope for an even better showing in their own celebration.

Captain Kylian Mbappé has scored eight goals so far in the tournament. (Getty Images: Jussi Eskola)

It is fitting they get to play on a day of such national significance, where others have tried to stoke division and hate during this tournament.

There was the Paraguayan senator's horrific racist rant against Mbappé, the ex-Spanish prime minister who said they "don't have any French players", and broader undertones of racist commentary throughout World Cup coverage.

But this is the most culturally diverse men's tournament in history, and it is France's multitude of highly-skilled players, combined with a common vision, that has made it so powerful here.

"This French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, so does the country. We are a united group, a united team, and that's all that matters," midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery said.

That has been seen through the way this team has performed.

By many pundits' logic, so many brilliant attacking players should not be able to fit in a starting XI, let alone carve up opponents as they do.

Michael Olise with an incredible attempt for France that almost came off. (Getty Images: Mattia Ozbot)

But Deschamps has found a way to make it work, and a willingness from the players to buy into his vision and discard any semblance of ego to work as a collective.

Michael Olise's tournament-leading five assists are a testament to that. For as much as Mbappé's eight goals have grabbed the headlines, Olise is winning countless admirers.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot admits the chemistry is undeniable and unquantifiable.

"Outside of the pitch we all get along very well, and I think that it explains a big part of our success. These things translate to the field," he said.

He also pointed to Deschamps having to briefly leave the US to attend his mother's funeral as bringing them closer together.

"We want to give it all also because it's his last tournament as the France head coach. A lot of things make us feel that it's the right time," Rabiot said.

Ousmane Dembélé has scored five goals so far. (Getty Images: Daniel Castelo Branco)

Deschamps was testy when asked about France's past two defeats to Spain, incidentally both semi-finals, in the 2025 UEFA Nations League and the 2024 Euros, and the criticisms he faced then.

"If only we were criticised two years ago, I think we've been criticised for 12 years, right?" Deschamps said.

"This will be a fight on the pitch, and will the fight be similar? Well, there's no revenge, the past is in the past."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is known for his love of the Roman Empire, and while his side's journey has not been as dazzling as France's, it is in step with his philosophy.

Luis de la Fuente quoted Julius Caesar ahead of the final four clash. (Getty Images: Florencia Tan Jun)

"Julius Caesar, one of the great conquerors in history, said there are no big achievements without suffering, and I agree with that fully," de la Fuente said.

"That is one of the expressions that I love, and I always share with my players and staff.

"If you want to achieve big things in life, you need to leave something along the way and to suffer a great deal. And we are here to suffer."

It has not exactly been tortuous for Spain through this campaign, but they have laboured through some games. Notably, they opened with a scoreless draw against Cabo Verde and relied on substitute Mikel Merino to save them late in successive knockout games.

Spain's Mikel Merino has scored in two straight knockout games off the bench. (Reuters: Kai Pfaffenbach)

While Les Bleus have been the second-best attacking team of the tournament behind Argentina, La Roja have been the defensive stand-outs, only conceding once in the quarterfinal win over Belgium.

And they have had the most possession of any team so far, something they must exploit against France's awe-inspiring quartet.

"The fact is that we have to play an almost perfect match, we have to have the ball. I think that without the ball they can suffer a lot," Spain midfielder Alex Baena said.

Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 today, has scored just one goal so far. It is something he insisted he is not troubled by, while his coach predicted a turnaround soon.

Lamine Yamal says he is not feeling pressure to score in the semifinal. (Getty Images: Justin Setterfield)

"I insist the big day for Lamine is yet to come at this World Cup. So I hope tomorrow is his day, if not the final, if we qualify," de la Fuente said.

Yamal is not bowing to any external pressure or expectations, and today doubled down on his remarks about not being afraid of facing France.

But not in an arrogant way, more in a manner couched in facts.

"I was asked whether I feared France and I said no, because we are European champions and I don't fear anyone," he said.

Without fear or favour, whether through suffering or spectacles, only one of Europe's heavyweights will have the final say.