Preview for Spain v France

Spain take on France in Stuttgart tomorrow in a mouthwatering rematch of their Euro 2024 semi-final.

Luis de la Fuente’s men came out on top on that occasion, winning 2-1, on their way to clinching the trophy.

They return to Germany on the back of an 18-game unbeaten run and appear in excellent shape as they continue their build-up to next summer’s World Cup finals.

A lot of talk around the game has centred on the battle between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele with the two favourites for this year’s Ballon d’Or coming head to head but it’s an old timer that will hope to share the headlines on his return to the international stage.

Isco’s inclusion for the first time since 2019 came as a reward for a wonderful season with Real Betis and the former Real Madrid man is delighted to be back in the fold.

Asked if he thought his time with Spain was over, the 33-year-old said: “People have the right to have a free opinion and I have never been affected by what I read or what people said about me. I have always tried not to give up and to keep trying.

“I trusted myself and that, if I did well in my club, I would have some chance of returning. And here I am. I have been more emotional with this call than the first one.”

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Isco is the elder statesman in a dressing room that also contains 17-year-old Yamal.

He added: “My oldest son is going to be 11 and Lamine is 17, so right now they can play together and everything. It’s the first time I’ve found this, being the oldest in a squad, but I’m coping with it well.”

France arrive in high spirits with five members of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League-winning squad involved.

Les Bleus were a disappointment at the Euros, despite reaching the last four, and boss Didier Deschamps will hope to use the Nations League as a chance to reassert themselves on the big stage.

He admits, however, that Spain pose a formidable threat.

He said: “This Spain team have already shown their quality, and they are the best side in Europe and probably the best in the world. They also may have a few players who are fresher. But still, my team always have the ability to maintain a strong collective and technical rhythm.

“I haven’t yet seen a team that has truly found a solution to stop Yamal. Add in the likes of Nico Williams and it’s clear Spain have a lot of pace. But that doesn’t mean we’ll be approaching this match waving the white flag.”

The winners will take on either Germany or Portugal in Sunday’s final.

El crack que faltaba por llegar.

Con @FabianRP52 en la concentración, ya estamos todos 🤗.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/6Wt2tx5fdC

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 3, 2025

Team News for Spain v France

Isco is likely to start on the bench from where De la Fuente can use his experience late on.

Spain could pair two young centre-halves, Pau Cubarsí of Barcelona and Real Madrid new boy Dean Huijsen.

Deschamps has to decide how to utilise his PSG contingent. Given the relatively short turnaround from the win in Munich on Saturday, and the subsequent celebrations, he may opt to leave them out for the semi-final and hold them back for the weekend.

Stats for Spain v France

Prediction for Spain v France

The likely absence of the likes of Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola probably tips the scales the way of Spain.

It will be fascinating to see how Huijsen copes with the threat of new team-mate Mbappe.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 France