Beyond Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas lay a far more compelling story than the scoreline itself -- one of a tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente that Didier Deschamps never truly recognised, let alone countered.

Coming into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France were always tipped as the team to beat.

France never doubted they would go through despite Kylian Mbappe missing a penalty and having wasted several chances in the first half in their World Cup quarter-final clash against Morocco, coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday.

A disappointed Morocco said they had hoped to progress past the World Cup quarterfinals, but had to accept they lost to a better team as France eliminated them 2-0 in Thursday's tie.

Kylian Mbappe recovered from having a first-half penalty saved to score a magnificent opener that set France on their way to a 2-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup quarterfinal showdown today.

Top favourites France will be eyeing a place in the quarterfinals as they take on Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at Philadelphia Stadium tonight.

If they are still defined by pragmatism, that pragmatism comes from this France team’s togetherness, wrought in liquid gold.

Sweden have embraced their underdog status ahead of tonight's World Cup Round of 32 clash with France in New Jersey, insisting the pressure rests firmly on the 2018 champions.

Ousmane Dembele scored one of the earliest hattricks in World Cup history on Friday as the Ballon d'Or winner starred in France's 4-1 win over a second-string Norway, while Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.

For all his success with Paris St Germain, where he reinvented himself as a central creative force and one of Europe's most influential forwards, Dembele remains a player searching for his place in the national team.

"They've been very unfair to him," the Paris Saint-Germain winger said. "They go a bit overboard with the criticism of Kylian because he's an incredible player. A great person off the field. I've known him for a long time."

Paris Saint-Germain stars Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos insisted their team are ravenous for European glory ahead of Saturday's Champions League final clash with Arsenal after tasting success last season.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele needs treatment for a right calf issue, the French club said Monday, ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal later this month.

Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after national team coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 28-year-old becomes just the fifth player to win back-to-back awards, the last being Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2014.

Coach Vincent Kompany said he was "already motivated" for a tilt at next season's Champions League as he digested Bayern Munich's narrow semi-final elimination at the hands of holders Paris Saint-Germain.

A mouthwatering showdown awaits in Paris tonight as reigning champions PSG host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, with two of Europe’s most potent attacks set to collide.

Ousmane Dembele's double guided Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semifinals as a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate win for the holders.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele has urged the Champions League holders to show no mercy in their last-16 second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dismissed any suggestions of dressing room disharmony as the reigning European champions prepared to put their continental title on the line this midweek against domestic rivals Monaco.