The World Cup semifinal on Tuesday is going to be absolutely WILD, with France battling Spain in what everyone's calling a blockbuster matchup. Seriously, Mbappe vs. Yamal? That's the stuff of legends. But let's be real, everyone was holding their breath after Kylian Mbappe got forced off the pitch around the 77th minute in that game against Morocco. Thankfully, the man himself confirmed the knock wasn't serious, and now a fresh report from MARCA just dropped the *real* update we were all waiting for.
Mbappe Is Firing and Ready to Go
Forget the whispers and the worry, because Kylian Mbappe is officially fit and firing, folks! That MARCA report confirmed what we all hoped: the Real Madrid striker hit the training pitch without any limitations whatsoever. That ankle injury that had us all sweating after the Morocco game? Pretty much ancient history. France wasn't exactly hitting the panic button, but they followed every single protocol, just to be safe. Mbappe got his medical exam the second he sat on the bench, immediately iced the ankle to keep swelling down, and was monitored non-stop in the hours following the match. He's not just back, he's back *with the squad* who racked up the heaviest minutes, including talents like Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue. We're talking running drills and activation exercises. This dude is healthy, he's hungry, and don't forget, he's in a straight-up fight for the Golden Boot. Spain, consider yourselves warned.Defensive Doubts for France?
Alright, so the Mbappe news is pure fire, but France did have a couple of question marks surface after their rest day. Center-backs Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, both absolute pillars of France's run to the semifinals, were noticeably absent from the group training session. You know that raised some eyebrows, right? But the French camp is playing it cool, projecting a complete sense of calm. Saliba has been dealing with back problems for a few weeks now, which has meant missing some sessions throughout the tournament, but it hasn't stopped him from being available for matches. Upamecano, on the other hand, has been on a very specific workload management plan this whole World Cup, even doing individual training at different points to keep him super fresh for the biggest games. The vibe from the French camp is that both defenders will absolutely be good to go for the semifinal. It sounds like the coaching staff is just being extra cautious, with three days still to go before such a massive match. So, get ready, because Tuesday is going to be absolutely massive. France against Spain in a World Cup semifinal, with Mbappe leading the charge and potentially both key defenders back in the lineup. You know we're gonna be glued to every single play. Don't miss it!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.