Koundé Defends Yamal's France Warning Before No. 1 vs No. 3 World Cup Semifinal
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 13
Koundé Defends Yamal's France Warning Before No. 1 vs No. 3 World Cup Semifinal
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 13
Summary
Jules Koundé said Lamine Yamal's claim that France should fear Spain was confidence, not disrespect, before Tuesday's World Cup semifinal in Arlington.
Yamal doubled down Monday, saying he was simply answering whether he feared France: "We're European champions," after Spain beat Belgium to reach the last four.
Adrien Rabiot said France have no special plan for the 18-year-old winger, arguing Spain's threat comes from its whole attack and possession game.
France enter with 16 goals in six matches — eight from Kylian Mbappé — but Koundé said Les Bleus must keep the ball because Spain can punish teams in transition.
The semifinal reunites FIFA's No. 1 France with No. 3 Spain, which beat France 2-1 in the 2024 Euros semis; the winner faces England or Argentina in Sunday's final.