France put past behind them as history beckons against Spain

DALLAS, July 12 : France are one victory from extending one of the most extraordinary eras of World Cup dominance, with a third successive final and a fifth appearance in the showpiece match in eight tournaments within reach when they face Spain on Tuesday.To get there, Didier Deschamps’s side must overcome the team who have repeatedly blocked their path in recent years and whose defence has been breached only once at this tournament.Spain, who have had a see-saw progression here, eliminated France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and beat them again in a nine-goal Nations League thriller last year, but this time Les Bleus arrive with the competition’s two most prolific forwards - Kylian Mbappe on eight goals and Ousmane Dembele on five - and a much more balanced team.There is considerable con