Mbappe trains through minor scare to face Spain in World Cup semi-final

Kylian Mbappe is set to start France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas after a brief training absence prompted short-lived injury concerns. Manager Didier Deschamps moved quickly to dismiss any alarm, confirming the Real Madrid forward’s reduced workload was pre-planned and not a cause for worry.

“Yes, he trained,” Deschamps said when pressed on his captain’s involvement. “He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15.”

Mbappe had been substituted late in France’s quarter-final victory over Morocco after appearing to pick up a slight ankle knock, though he downplayed the issue after the final whistle. Deschamps’ clarification on Thursday will ease nerves among the French camp ahead of a heavyweight European showdown.

There was further encouragement for France with the news that Aurelien Tchouameni is closing in on full fitness following a hamstring complaint that kept him out of the team’s last two matches at the tournament. The Real Madrid midfielder could now be available for selection in the semi-final.

“For the last match, the risk was too high,” Deschamps said of Tchouameni. “He is better today, although we cannot say he is 100 per cent recovered. His last game was two weeks ago, but that is not prohibitive. The important thing is that he is available.”

Spain arrive in Dallas without any fresh injury concerns of their own, according to manager Luis de la Fuente. The two sides have recent history at this stage of major tournaments — Spain beat France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on their way to winning the continental title, adding an extra edge to what is already a compelling fixture.