France boss Didier Deschamps predicts a "spectacular" semi-final against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday as France target a third consecutive World Cup final. The two-time champions face Luis de la Fuente's side, who beat Les Bleus in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and a nine-goal Nations League thriller last year.

Deschamps, stepping down after 14 years in charge, dismissed past results: "The past is in the past. We are now at another level. We want to be in the final." Victory in Texas would make France only the third nation to reach three straight World Cup finals, joining West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002). Deschamps captained the 1998 triumph and managed the 2018 winners, who lost on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

Deschamps conceded Spain start as favourites having conceded only one goal in six games, but expects an open contest: "We know this could be a most spectacular game." De la Fuente played down the favourites tag, insisting both teams face equal pressure to perform for their countries.