No fear - Pau Cubarsi confident ahead of Kylian Mbappe duel in France vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final

Mbappe’s France and Pau Cubarsi’s Spain are set to play on July 15 (IST).

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its final four competitors. Each team secured their spot after intense battles, displaying immense resilience. In one of the most anticipated fixtures, the France national football team will face Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA.

France entered the competition with massive expectations to secure the nation’s third World Cup title. Les Bleus had a dominant group stage campaign. The Kylian Mbappé-led side finished as their group leaders with a perfect record.

They then faced Sweden in the Round of 32, managing a comfortable 3-0 victory. France then secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Paraguay, before defeating Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals to confirm their spot in the semi-finals, qualifying for the third successive time.

Spain, led by manager Luis de la Fuente, will target their second World Cup title to re-establish themselves as a World Cup heavyweight. Despite a slow start, Pau Cubarsi and Co. finished as table toppers, unbeaten.

They then played Austria in the Round of 32, securing a 3-0 win. In the Round of 16, Spain defeated their arch-rivals Portugal, managing a 1-0 victory. They then defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time since 2010.

France and Spain have a very competitive history, having played 38 times before this meeting. Both nations are set to play at the World Cup for the second time. Their first outing came in the 2006 World Cup Round of 16, with France securing a dramatic 3-1 victory after coming from behind.

Pau Cubarsi’s Remarks on the tactical battle against Kylian Mbappe

Pau Cubarsi expressed complete mental preparation ahead of the semi-final clash. While he remains entirely prepared to face the French captain, the teenage defender was quick to acknowledge the immense threat posed by the forward. He highlighted his world-class qualities on the pitch.

Pau Cubarsi: “Mbappé? I am not scared. No fear.

“But everyone knows his qualities. Even if he’s not involved in the match, he can change the game with a quick action.

“He is unique, like Lamine Yamal. You have to stay alert for 90 minutes.”

The centre-back explained that the French forward possesses the rare ability to completely change the game with minimal attacking movements. He emphasised that this unpredictable nature makes him truly unique, directly comparing his impact to that of his own teammate, Lamine Yamal.

He stressed that the Spanish defence, which has only conceded one goal so far in the tournament, cannot afford to make any mistakes. He has encouraged his team to stay focused for the entirety of the game.

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