France do not fear Spain but respect their quality, players says

France are not afraid of Spain going into their World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, defender Ibrahima Konate said on Sunday, but they are conscious of their opponents' quality and their near-perfect backline.

Spain have conceded only one goal in the entire tournament to reach the last four in search of a second World Cup title.

France, winners in 2018 and finalists four years ago, know Spain very well, having lost to them in the Euro 2024 last four and also in last year's Nations League semi-finals.

"You cannot fear anyone," France centre-back Konate told a press conference. "We will now prepare as best as possible and hope the result in the end will favour us."

"Spain are an exceptional team, with a lot of individual quality, so we won't be focusing on just one player even though Lamine (Yamal) is a great player," said Konate, who had a brief substitute appearance in the win over Norway in their final group match.

Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have been France's starting centre-backs, as the tournament favourites eye their fifth World Cup final.

But Konate said the French were not wasting any thoughts on what might be.

"We are staying humble, we won't fall into that trap," he said.

They will need to find a way to break down this World Cup's most effective backline, as well as contain as much as possible Lamine's runs down the wings.

Top of the list is Spain winger Lamine, who has earned praise from his coach for keeping opponents' defenders busy as teammate use the spaces created.

"We will defend well, the best," Lacroix said. "Lamine is a very good player and he has shown he can hurt teams at this World Cup. We will do the work that is needed."

-Reuters