"A spectacular game" France's Didier Deschamps on facing Spain
Hear from France manager Didier Deschamps ahead of Les Bleus' World Cup semifinal against Spain as the Ligue 1 McDonald's team breaks down his pre-match press conference.
"The past is in the past"
This was one of the points that Deschamps, who is stepping down at the end of the tournament after 14 years in charge wished to underscore. He's faced the Spaniards numerous times in his spell in charge of Les Bleus, and the results have rarely been good.
Indeed, Spain have eliminated France from the 2012 Euros (in Laurent Blanc's final match in charge), the 2024 Euros and held them at arm's length in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final. Thus, while France can point to their strong recent displays in this tournament, their encounter with La Rioja have been rather less fruitful, even taking into account a maiden Nations League title in 2021. Said Deschamps, "They have won in the past but I am looking forward to tomorrow. We are now at another level. We want to be in the final."
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ SCORES FOR FRANCE AND CELEBRATES WITH DIDIER DESCHAMPS! 🇫🇷🥹 pic.twitter.com/o9OTS1gsIH
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 30, 2026
Spain as favorites?
While the attacking prowess of France has taken the tournament by storm, save their battling win over Paraguay, for Deschamps, Spain's defence is more likely to take centre stage tomorrow in Dallas. "They have only conceded only one goal in six games; 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 the two teams, we can think it's going to be a spectacular game."
Despite France being on the precipice of reaching their third straight World Cup final -- a feat achieved only twice before in history, by serial winners Germany and Brazil, Deschamps still feels that Spain's body of work to date is more compelling than his own Bleus' performances.
"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde and since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favorites. Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."
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