Spain's players celebrate after Mikel Merino scored their second goal against Belgium on Friday.
Doha, Qatar: Spain head into FIFA World Cup semi-final against France with growing confidence after their dramatic victory over Belgium, convinced they have what it takes to stop the tournament favourites.
Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday with Mikel Merino coming off the bench to score the winner in the 88th minute after Fabian Ruiz’s opener had been cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere.
The late triumph extended Spain’s impressive run in North America and reinforced the belief within the camp that the reigning European champions can once again get the better of France on Tuesday.
“It’s fair to think we can beat France; we’re going to work hard for them. We’re the only team that has managed to beat them twice. A great team is going to face another great team,” De la Fuente said after the quarter-final.
The Spain coach described the clash as “a final before the final”, insisting his players are capable of overcoming any opponent despite the quality waiting for them in Arlington.
“We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals,” he said.
Spain defeated France 2-1 in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals before edging Les Bleus 5-4 in last year’s UEFA Nations League semi-final, results that have given the squad added confidence ahead of another meeting with Didier Deschamps’ side.
De la Fuente knows the challenge will be greater than ever against a France team led by Kylian Mbappe and packed with attacking talent, but believes Spain have earned the right to trust their own football.
“The match will be more open than ever. We will have to raise our level of play and we’re going to give everything,” he said.
That confidence is shared by teenage star Lamine Yamal, who once again produced a lively display against Belgium.
“There are two possibilities: either they reach three World Cup finals in a row, or we beat them three times. I don’t know what might happen, but we’re not afraid at all,” Yamal said.
“I’m really happy with the win. Back in the semi-finals again. That’s what we came here for – to play these matches and win them. Now it’s time to rest and start thinking about the match against France.”
Spain have steadily gathered momentum after a goalless draw with Cape Verde in their opening match, going on to top their group before defeating Austria, Portugal and Belgium in the knockout rounds. Merino’s late winners against Portugal and Belgium have highlighted the depth available to De la Fuente, while Spain have conceded just one goal across their last five matches.
France, meanwhile, have lived up to their billing as one of the tournament’s strongest sides, reaching the semi-finals after victories over Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco, with Mbappe continuing to spearhead one of the competition’s most dangerous attacks.
