Jules Koundé said Monday that Lamine Yamal's comments that France should fear the defending Euro champions weren't disrespectful. "No, in no moment have we felt a lack of respect," said Koundé, Yamal's Barcelona teammate. "I know Lamine very well. For me it's a show of his confidence." Yamal doubled down, saying, "We're European champions. It's football, that's all."

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot insisted they have no specific plan for Yamal. "We're focused on the whole Spanish team, not on one player," Rabiot said. France's attack has been devastating, scoring 16 goals in six games, with eight from star forward Kylian Mbappé. Koundé acknowledged both teams attack and like possession, warning, "against Spain you can't leave the ball for 90 minutes."

The semifinal falls on July 14, Bastille Day and the anniversary of the 2016 Nice terrorist attack that killed 86 people. "We'll have a thought for the families of the victims. But it is the national day. We really want to make the French people proud," Koundé said. The winner faces England or Argentina in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.