Spain face France with a World Cup final at stake

France await in the semi-final, Tuesday night

This is the match. Spain face France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday (1) (2). The winner goes to the final. Your team knocked out Portugal in the quarters with Mikel Merino's goal deep in added time, and now it is France standing in the way.

Konate: we are not just here to stop Yamal

Ibrahima Konate pushed back on the idea that France's only job is to muzzle Lamine Yamal. "We're not just thinking about stopping Lamine. Spain is an exceptional team with a lot of individual talent. The goal isn't to focus solely on one player, because it's the whole team that can cause damage" (4) (5). The France defender knows the threat runs deeper.

Konate on Real Madrid: it is a dream

Konate also had something to say about his new club, and Madridistas may enjoy it. "Real Madrid is the biggest club in history. It's an exceptional club. And how do I experience it? It's a dream" (5). He faces Spain on Tuesday as a Real Madrid player.

Barcelona confirm Alvarez offer

Joan Laporta has confirmed Barcelona are making a move for Julian Alvarez. "C'est nous qui donnerons le tempo," the Barça president said, meaning Barça will set the pace in negotiations (6). Atletico Madrid hold his contract, and any deal would reshape the striker market in La Liga.

Fan reactions

Ahead of Tuesday's semi-final, Spain fans are focused on one detail: Ivan Barton of El Salvador will referee France vs Spain. Over on the Real Madrid subreddit, supporters are running the emotional maths on the semi-final, rooting preferences get complicated when club loyalties collide with the national team. The consensus seems to be that a France win is easier to stomach if it means Mbappe and Tchouameni edge closer to a Ballon d'Or podium, but no one is saying it out loud.