Mbappé passes fitness test to start France's World Cup semifinal against Spain

Kylian Mbappé will lead France’s attack in Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal against Spain after coach Didier Deschamps confirmed the striker is “fine physically” following a “slight” right ankle injury sustained in the quarterfinal victory over Morocco, where he was substituted in the 77th minute.

Mbappé enters the match level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, each having scored eight goals in the tournament. Messi, 39, holds the all-time World Cup scoring record with 21 career goals — one ahead of the 27-year-old French captain. Mbappé is one of six France players, alongside forward Ousmane Dembélé and goalkeeper Mike Maignan, to have started all seven of their matches at this World Cup.

On the Spanish side, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is again expected to come off the bench, having done so in five of Spain’s seven games. Merino has been a decisive impact substitute, scoring winning goals shortly after coming on in the 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Portugal and the 2-1 quarterfinal win against Belgium.

Teenage forward Lamine Yamal will make his sixth consecutive start for Spain, a day after celebrating his 19th birthday. The Barcelona winger began the tournament as a substitute in Spain’s opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde before establishing himself as a fixture in the starting eleven.

Spain will, however, be without Nico Williams from the outset. The forward has been managing a muscle injury since the group-stage finale against Uruguay, missing the first two knockout rounds before returning as a substitute in the 79th minute against Belgium.