By ABDULRAHAMAN. YAHAYA

France and Spain will trade tackles in the first semi-final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. A battle between the best attacking side of the tournament and the best defensive team.

France’s attack led by Kylian Mpappe have scored 16 goals in 6 matches so far, with Mpappe and Ousmane Dembele having 13 of those goals. The duo have been on fire for Didier Deschamps’s men and it will be no surprise if one or both of them decide the game on Thursday.

But while many focus on how good France are in attack, little attention has been paid to how difficult it is to penetrate their defence, starting from their midfield.

Adrian Rabiot and Manu Kone have been so good as double pivots for France that former Chelsea energetic midfielder, N’Golo Kante have not played a minute in the tournament yet. France have only conceded twice so far.

In the backline for France are William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, Theo Hernández, and Ibrahima Konaté. A backline that shouldn’t have problem taming whatever Lamine Yamal and his teammates will come with.

Spain’s midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Fabiàn Ruiz must be at their absolute best to keep possession. The task here is not to only breach A Rabiot and Manu Kone’s stillness. They must find a way to keep Michael Olise off the ball for most parts of the game.

Olise has taken up the free role so far for France. Coming into the midfield to provide creativity with flair and ease. The Bayern Munich man is not a silent threat. With five assists, Olise is the leading assist provider going into the semi-finals.

While it is worthy of note that Spain have also scored eleven goals and just conceded once, Luis de la Fuente’s men will need to do better than they did against Portugal and Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the Final.

It will take more than a super sub goal as Mikel Merino has provided in their last two games to beat this rampaging French side.

Spain must score goals to remain alive in the contest. They are against a team that can create something from nothing.

A football enthusiast, Victor Daniel, believes France are the only team that can beat Spain.

“France is the only team that can beat Spain. In fact, individual talent is the only thing France has over Spain.”

“France has players that can create something out of very little without needing support from teammates, Spain is heavily primed for team play,” he said.

“When things get tight Dembele and Mbappe can create something out of nothing. That’s the only thing France has over Spain, and the only way they will beat Spain,” he added.

History favours Spain going into this clash. The European Champions knocked out France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024. They also beat France in a nine-goal thriller last year in the Nations League. But this is a much changed French side since then.

The semi-final clash will be played on Tuesday at the Dallas Stadium, Texas, US., 9pm West African time. (NAN)

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