Should Mikel Merino start for Spain against France? - DAZN
Anticipated Semifinal Clash
Dallas is set to host a highly anticipated World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, featuring France and Spain. This match is being described by some as a de facto final, given the strong performances of both teams throughout the tournament. The game will take place at AT&T Stadium, which was initially considered for the final before New York (officially New Jersey) was chosen.
Didier Deschamps, coach for France, commented on the upcoming match, stating, “We know this might be a spectacular game. Both teams know how to defend well. With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think it’s going to be a spectacular game.” Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, echoed this sentiment, suggesting the match could be a World Cup final in itself, while also acknowledging the other semifinal between Argentina and England as potentially being of similar stature.
Both France and Spain have demonstrated strong defensive capabilities. Spain has conceded only one goal in the entire tournament, an equalizer against Belgium in the quarterfinal. France has not allowed a goal since their group stage match against Norway, maintaining a clean sheet for 336 minutes.
Key Players to Watch
Several players are expected to play pivotal roles in the semifinal. For France, Kylian Mbappé has been a significant offensive threat, leading the Golden Boot race with a combined 11 goals and assists. He has scored eight goals and provided three assists, scoring in every knockout round so far after bagging four goals in the group stages. Mbappé, the French captain, is in strong form and represents a major threat for Les Bleus.
Michael Olise, a midfielder for France, has been crucial in creating opportunities, providing five assists in the tournament. Although he has not scored, his partnership with Mbappé has been a highlight. Ousmane Dembele has also been a key contributor for France, scoring five goals and providing two assists. He scored a hat-trick in a group game against Norway and another goal in France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarterfinals. The combined efforts of Mbappé and Dembele account for 13 goals for France in this World Cup.
For Spain, Lamine Yamal, at 18 years old, is a notable attacking player. Despite scoring only one goal in the tournament, he has been recognized as player of the match twice, including in Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium. Yamal has also recorded the most successful dribbles in the tournament. He previously scored against France in the semifinals of the 2024 European championship.
Mikel Oyarzabal is Spain’s top scorer in the World Cup with four goals and one assist. He scored six goals in six games during World Cup qualification and has continued his scoring form in the tournament. Oyarzabal has a history of scoring crucial goals, including an 86th-minute winner against England in the 2024 European championship final.
Mikel Merino, a midfielder, has proven to be a valuable substitute for Spain, scoring late winners against Portugal and Belgium after coming off the bench. He has scored two goals in 180 minutes played. While he is not expected to start, Merino remains a key part of Spain’s squad and could pose a threat later in the match.
Recent Encounters and Expectations
France and Spain have faced each other in the past two summers. Spain secured a 2-1 victory in the semifinal of the 2024 European championship. Last summer, Spain also defeated France 5-4 in the Nations League semifinals, after holding a 5-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining. Despite France scoring three goals after the 78th minute, Spain maintained their lead.
Deschamps acknowledged these past results but emphasized the current context. “The past is in the past. Yes, they did win two games but I’m looking ahead to tomorrow’s game,” he said. “I do not want to diminish the importance of these past two games, but we’re now at another level.” Yamal also expressed excitement for the match, stating, “It will be a great game for all the fans. I’m sure everyone wanted this game to happen in the World Cup.” The semifinal match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14.
Source: eu.usatoday.com
