De la Fuentes warns of transformed France: ‘Mbappe’ is better, Dembele is better’

On the eve of Spain’s World Cup semifinal showdown with France, Luis de la Fuente delivered a stark warning: the France his side faces on Tuesday is a vastly improved version of the team they have beaten in their two previous tournament meetings.

“France are much better now than what they were when we faced them before. Individually, they have grown,” De la Fuente told reporters. “Mbappé is better, Dembélé is better… as a team, they are better. We have also improved as well.”

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A Transformed French Machine

The numbers back up De la Fuente’s assessment. Kylian Mbappé has scored eight goals at this World Cup, moving within one of Lionel Messi’s all-time tournament record, while Ousmane Dembélé has added five of his own. Between them, the duo have accounted for 13 of France’s 16 goals.

But it is not just the scoring. Michael Olise leads the tournament with five assists, and France have become “more coherent without the ball and more varied with it,” according to Reuters. They have won all six matches in 90 minutes, scoring 16 goals, and are the only team yet to concede in the knockout stages.

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Spain’s Unbeaten Run Meets Its Stiffest Test

Spain arrive on a historic 36-match unbeaten streak — 27 wins and nine draws since a March 2024 loss to Colombia. They have conceded just one goal in the tournament. But De la Fuente acknowledged that France’s evolution presents a new challenge.

France have “become more coherent without the ball and more varied with it, capable of attacking at speed, slowing down the game or defending in a compact block for long periods,” Reuters noted.

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De la Fuente’s Semifinal Pedigree Against France

De la Fuente has faced France five times in semifinals across youth and senior levels, winning four and losing just once. He has overseen consecutive semifinal wins at Euro 2024 and in the 2024/25 Nations League. Spain defeated France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinals and again in a nine-goal Nations League thriller last year.

But this time, De la Fuente insists, the opposition is different. “Mbappé is better, Dembélé is better… as a team, they are better,” he repeated.

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A Battle of Europe’s Best

Kickoff is set for Tuesday at 9 PM local time (Wednesday 03:00 BST) at Dallas Stadium. The winner will face either England or Argentina in the July 19 final.

France are playing in their eighth World Cup semifinal, equaling Brazil’s record. A victory would send them to a third consecutive final and a fifth in eight tournaments. Spain, meanwhile, are in just their second semifinal — and their first since winning the trophy in 2010.

“France are much better now,” De la Fuente said. “But we have also improved as well.”