Mbappe's ankle will hold. Spain have not lost in 36 matches.

The man who keeps coming off the bench

Spain have reached the semi-finals without ever looking beaten, and without ever looking comfortable. Mikel Merino scored the only goal against Portugal in the round of 16, having started the match on the bench. He did it again against Belgium in the quarter-final, again as a substitute, with extra time approaching. No player in World Cup history had scored the winner in two knockout ties after coming on.

That quarter-final also ended something. Unai Simon had kept six clean sheets in a row before Belgium finally scored, snapping a run that had stretched past 650 minutes. Now Luis de la Fuente has a decision he did not want: Merino and Pedri both have a case to start, which pushes Fabian Ruiz or Dani Olmo out.

Yamal turns 19 and has one goal

Lamine Yamal turned 19 on Monday, the day before the biggest match of his career. He has one goal at this World Cup, well short of the player who took over Euro 2024, and a hamstring problem has followed him through the tournament.

De la Fuente was asked about it in Dallas. "Lamine's best performance is still to come at this World Cup," he said. "He is incredibly motivated — you only have to look at his face. He can't wait to play. We just need to keep his eagerness under control because he must not be overwhelmed by his emotions." Yamal himself said he feels no pressure.

France arrive on six straight wins

Didier Deschamps is coaching his last tournament after 14 years, and this will be his 26th World Cup match in charge — more than any manager before him. His team have won all six games, scored 16, and beaten Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco to get here. Mbappe has eight goals, level with Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring chart, and has created chances for Ousmane Dembele all summer.

The injury news is mostly good. Mbappe's ankle sprain is described as minor. Manu Kone came off with a knee problem against Morocco but that was precautionary, and Aurelien Tchouameni is back from a thigh injury, so the two will compete for the same midfield place.

The recent history says Spain

France beat Spain 3-1 in their only previous World Cup meeting, 20 years ago. Everything since then reads the other way: Spain have won seven of the last ten games between them, including the Euro 2024 semi-final (2-1) and last year's Nations League semi-final, a 5-4 game in which Yamal scored twice and Mbappe converted a penalty.

France's answer is that they have not lost a World Cup semi-final in a long time — they have gone through the last four, winning the last three without conceding.

What to watch

Whether Mbappe starts, and how long he lasts. Whether de la Fuente starts both Merino and Pedri, or keeps his substitute weapon on the bench again. Whether Spain's wingers can get at France's full-backs, which is the one part of the French side that scouts keep circling. And whether Spain's defence, breached once in six matches, holds against the best attack left in the tournament. The winner plays England or Argentina in the final on July 19.