France play Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday in a high-octane clash as Les Bleus defender Maxence Lacroix asserted their ambition to win.
Didier Deschamps' side beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele struck apiece to put them in their third consecutive last-four at the FIFA World Cup.
Reigning European champions Spain now stand in their way of another final, as France face their toughest assignment of the tournament yet. Lacroix acknowledged their quality but stated that his team aims for nothing but a win.
Speaking to the press ahead of the high-stakes game next week, he said:
Spain got here after ousting Belgium in a fiercely contested last-8 fixture between two talented sides as Mikel Merino came off the bench once more to score their winning goal late on.
La Roja have built their campaign on the foundation of a solid defense that has conceded just once all tournament, against Belgium in the last round when Charles De Ketelaere managed to beat their backline with a diving header.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal were unable to get anything against them, as France's free-scoring form will be put through the wringer here.
Moreover, the Blues will be wary of their recent record against the Iberian giants, having lost against them in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 as well as last year's UEFA Nations League.
France against Spain has all the makings of a World Cup classic. One has been scoring goals for fun while the other has been preventing them resolutely.
Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise have combined to devastating effect while Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola have stepped up too.
Meanwhile, the centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte has made Spain an impenetrable fortress. But then, there's also Lamine Yamal.
The 18-year-old prodigy has a good record against France, netting three of his seven international goals against them. He was on target against Les Bleus in the Euro 2024 semi-final win before netting twice in their 5-4 victory of the Nations League last-four tie last year too.
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