WALTHAM, Massachusetts : France are approaching Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against Spain with respect rather than fear, defender Ibrahima Konate said, as Didier Deschamps’ side prepare to face the tournament’s stingiest defence.
Spain have conceded just one goal en route to the last four and are bidding for a second World Cup title, while France are chasing a fifth appearance in the final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up four years later.
The sides are familiar rivals, with Spain beating France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and last year’s Nations League semi-finals.
“You cannot fear anyone,” Konate told reporters on Sunday. “We will prepare as best as possible and hope the result will favour us.”
“Spain are an exceptional team with a lot of individual quality, so we won’t focus on just one player, even though Lamine (Yamal) is a great player,” added Konate, who made a substitute appearance in France’s final group-stage victory over Norway.
Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have formed France’s preferred central defensive partnership throughout the tournament, while Konate has been used sparingly as Les Bleus pursue another place in the World Cup final.
France have reached four of the last seven World Cup finals and could make it five if they overcome Spain and advance to the July 19 final in New York.
Konate, however, said the squad were not looking beyond the semi-final.
“We are staying humble. We won’t fall into that trap,” he said.
France will have to break down the tournament’s most effective defence while also limiting the influence of Spain winger Lamine Yamal, whose performances have been among the standout stories of the competition.
“I would not say ‘fear’, but we are conscious of their quality,” fellow centre-back Maxence Lacroix said. “They have won all their matches, except for a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in the group stage, so we respect them. They have high-quality players, but we want to win.”
Lacroix said France were prepared for the challenge posed by Yamal, who has earned praise for stretching defences and creating space for his teammates.
“We will defend well, the best we can,” Lacroix said. “Lamine is a very good player and he has shown he can hurt teams at this World Cup. We will do the work that is needed.”
