Mbappé and France gear up for Spain semi-final amid Rajoy racism storm

France vs Spain semi-final: both teams to score, Mbappé central

Your team faces Spain on Tuesday night at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, and the prediction is for goals at both ends (6). Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to lead the line, with William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano anchoring the back (6). Bookmakers have France to qualify at 8/11 (7).

The squad arrived in Dallas on Sunday, swapping the tension of the knockout rounds for a change of scenery, cowboy hats and a noticeable shift in mood (3).

Rajoy sparks fury: "France plays without French players"

Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy lit a fire on the eve of the semi-final. "The French team plays excellent football, but without French players in the squad," he said (1). Spain's Pau Cubarsí responded directly: "If they play for the French National Team, they are French. Their skin colour does not matter." The remark has drawn criticism from both sides of the border (1).

Konaté: "Real Madrid is a dream"

Ibrahima Konaté did not downplay it. "Real Madrid is the biggest club in history. It's an exceptional club. And how do I experience it? It's a dream" (9). On the semi-final, he warned that Spain are more than one man. "We're not just thinking about stopping Lamine. Spain is an exceptional team with a lot of individual talent. But the goal isn't to focus solely on one player, because it's the whole team that can cause damage" (8).

Spain captain Rodri echoed the point from the other side: Yamal still has progress to make in understanding matches (12).

Eto'o: Mbappé not fully appreciated in France

Samuel Eto'o believes your captain deserves more. "He simply deserves to be judged with the same fairness as other great champions, and perhaps it's time for France to fully appreciate how fortunate it is to have a player of such stature in its history" (10).

Rabiot–Yamal reunion looms

Tuesday reopens an old subplot. Adrien Rabiot and Lamine Yamal exchanged words at the Euros, and the semi-final brings them face to face again (2). Expect that duel to get attention.

Referee named: Ivan Barton from El Salvador

Ivan Barton will take charge of the semi-final (4). One rule to note: FIFA semi-automated offside technology will be in use, and Barton has a reputation for letting play flow.

Olise attracting Europe's biggest clubs

Michael Olise's form for Bayern Munich and France has put him on the radar of the continent's top clubs (11). His stock keeps rising.

Fan-reaktioner

The Rajoy comment has dominated the conversation, with fans widely sharing Cubarsí's rebuttal and rejecting the former PM's framing outright. Real Madrid supporters are running the emotional calculations, a France win means Mbappé strengthens his Ballon d'Or case, but the prospect of a France–Argentina final rematch has plenty of French fans admitting they are not sure their hearts can take it again.

Rajoy controversy discussion · France–Argentina final anxiety