World Cup 2026: Didier Deschamps predicts 'spectacular' France v Spain semi

Didier Deschamps' France (2) and Luis de la Fuente's Spain (1) have won the World Cup three times between them

France boss Didier Deschamps is predicting a "spectacular" semi-final when his exciting side take on Spain in a heavyweight World Cup showdown in Dallas on Tuesday.

Spain beat France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on their way to being crowned European champions before defeating Les Bleus in a nine-goal last-four thriller in the Nations League last year.

"The past is in the past," said Deschamps, who is stepping down at the end of the tournament after 14 years in charge.

"They [Spain] did win in the past but I am looking forward to tomorrow.

"We are now at another level. We want to be in the final."

Two-time world champions France will become only the third country to reach three straight World Cup finals if they win in Texas (kick-off 20:00 BST).

West Germany in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and Brazil in 1994, 1998 and 2002 are the only countries to manage the feat so far.

Deschamps, who captained France to the world title in 1998, managed them to World Cup glory in 2018 before they were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

He said Spain will start the semi-final as favourites.

"They have only conceded only one goal in six games," added Deschamps.

"We know this could be a most spectacular game. [Spain boss] Luis [de la Fuente] and myself we know how to defend and with the quality of two teams offensively, we can think it's going to be a spectacular game."

Later, De la Fuente played down Deschamps' claim that Spain are favourites.

"It doesn't mean anything," he said. "We are two great national teams facing one another.

"Whether we are favourites or not doesn't mean further pressure for us. We have that pressure anyway because we want to do well for our country."

Big stars and old rivals - what to expect in semi-finals

France cruise into semi-finals - could this be the best Les Bleus ever?

Spain's road to the semi-final - Every goal so far

'You can't win without suffering'

France have scored 16 times in six games at this tournament, with Kylian Mbappe getting eight of those and assisting a further three.

France captain Mbappe will move above Argentina's Lionel Messi, who also has eight goals, in the race for the Golden Boot if he scores against Spain.

"They have great players but so do we," added De la Fuente on Monday.

"Of course we will have to think about these players [Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise], win our battles, be on the front foot and think about our style.

"Tomorrow will be an extremely demanding match."

All the goals that fired France to semi-finals

The Spain boss used a quote from Roman general Julius Caesar in his news conference in Dallas.

"Julius Caesar always said that you can't win without suffering. I agree with that," said the 65-year-old.

"That is one of the expressions I love. If you want to achieve big things in your life you need to prepare to suffer.

"Can I enjoy this semi-final? Fortunately enough I enjoy doing this job. It's my passion. It is such a privilege to be in this position.

"I tell my players 'look enjoy what we have today. You are privileged. Let's play football. You have huge potential. Let's do what we do best'."

Germany 2006: France's Late Show Stuns Spain

Most clinical? Least creative? Best in the air? Comparing the last four

Borrowed shoes, no Golden Boot - the story of the World Cup's greatest scorer

BBC experts pick their England World Cup semi-final XI - do you agree?