Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been cleared to start France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday night, easing a fitness scare that emerged during the quarter-final win over Morocco.
According to a fresh update carried by CBS Sports, Mbappe left the 2-0 victory over Morocco in the 77th minute after picking up what he described as a “minor ankle injury,” but the Real Madrid star insisted afterwards that he was “completely fine” to face Spain. France head coach Didier Deschamps addressed the concern directly, calling it “a slight pain in the ankle” and adding there was “nothing serious” to report, in comments carried by ABC News.
Didier Deschamps Confirms Mbappe Is Available For Selection
Deschamps has since confirmed Mbappe is available for Tuesday’s last-four tie. The France captain trained separately in the build-up as a precaution, according to Forbes, but is still expected to lead the line. For a Real Madrid support already keeping one eye on their record signing’s workload heading into Jose Mourinho’s first pre-season at the helm, the update will come as a relief.
Mbappe arrives at the semi-final as the tournament’s joint-leading scorer, with eight goals in six matches for a France side that has not conceded in the knockout rounds. Spain, the reigning European champions, present a stern test in Dallas, and Mbappe’s fitness had been seen as pivotal to France’s hopes of reaching a third straight World Cup final. Real Madrid’s own pre-season work continues at Valdebebas this week, but few results elsewhere in the world will be watched as closely at the club as Tuesday’s semi-final in Texas.
