{"id":1468063,"date":"2026-07-13T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1468063"},"modified":"2026-07-13T09:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T08:43:32","slug":"france-vs-spain-comparison-matrix-combined-xi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-spain-comparison-matrix-combined-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"France vs Spain: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for World Cup semi-final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined France and Spain XI ahead of the World Cup semi-final showdown on Tuesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we\u2019ve chosen to compare are a combination of the team\u2019s most used XI so far during the tournament and predicted lineups for the match itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan vs Unai Simon<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Straightaway, there’s little to choose between the two goalkeepers, who have conceded a combined three goals during this World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maignan has the edge when it comes to saves made per 90 minutes and long passes attempted. However, Simon leads save percentage, clean sheets, goals conceded and ball recoveries per 90. That just about gives the Spain stopper the nod between the sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Unai Simon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-back: Jules Kounde vs Pedro Porro<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, this selection is something of a no-brainer, with Porro dominating most of the important figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There isn’t much in terms of tackles made and ball recoveries per 90, but the Spaniard is way in front when it comes to chances created, crosses attempted, ground duels won and interceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Pedro Porro<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centre-backs: William Saliba vs Dayot Upamecano vs Pau Cubarsi vs Aymeric Laporte<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Again, it’s really difficult to choose between four superb defenders, three of them fresh from winning their respective domestic titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as far as this tournament is concerned, Upamecano leads the way when it comes to tackles made, ground duels won, interceptions and ball recoveries per 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest are fairly well-balanced, but given he finds himself in the top two the most among the three of them, Laporte just about gets the nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Dayot Upamecano and Aymeric Laporte<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left-back: Lucas Digne vs Marc Cucurella<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Two Premier League left-backs vie for the position in this combined XI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cucurella has played all six games for Spain, while Digne has played two less but made the France left-back spot his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chelsea man has created more chances per 90 and shades completed take-ons. However, Digne leads by quite some distance when it comes to crosses attempted, tackles made, clearances and ground duel success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Lucas Digne<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensive midfielders: Manu Kone vs Adrien Rabiot vs Rodri vs Fabian Ruiz<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The heart of midfield is, in some areas, regarded as France’s only real weakness, especially given the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni through injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the four overall, Rodri stands out when it comes to passing accuracy, forward passes, tackles made and clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kone leads the way for ball recoveries and is second for passing accuracy, tackles made and interceptions. However, Fabian Ruiz has the edge when it comes to aerial and ground duel success, and that just pips him into the XI alongside his compatriot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Rodri and Fabian Ruiz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Right-winger: Ousmane Dembele vs Lamine Yamal<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you thought the previous selections were difficult, try choosing between the top two in last year’s Ballon d’Or ranking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are different styles of forward, highlighted by the fact Yamal is well ahead at this World Cup when it comes to take-ons completed, take-on success, fouls won and touches in opposition box per 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Dembele leads the way when it comes to what we regard as the more important stats — i.e. goals, assists and chances created per 90 minutes. Therefore, he gets the nod on the right wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Ousmane Dembele<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No.10: Michael Olise vs Dani Olmo<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here, we choose between two players who have pulled the strings through the middle of the park so effectively throughout these finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the statistics are incredibly lopsided, though this is definitely a reflection on Olise taking things to another level, as opposed to shortcomings from Olmo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France’s assist king leads the way for the likes of shots on target, chances created, throughballs, take-ons completed and fouls won. In fact, the only stat of any significance in which he trails is touches in the opposing box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Michael Olise<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left-winger: Bradley Barcola vs Alex Baena<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another tough call to make. Barcola has battled with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Desire Doue for the spot on France’s left wing, but appears to have the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Baena is keeping Nico Williams out the side, taking advantage after the latter’s injury options. The Atletico Madrid winger leads Barcola for chances created and fouls won per 90 minutes, and isn’t far behind when it comes to shots on target, assists and throughballs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the PSG man is the clear leader for goals, take-ons completed, take-on success and touches in the opposition box, and that secures his place in this team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Bradley Barcola<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Striker: Kylian Mbappe vs Mikel Oyarzabal<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Similarly to the right wing debate, you have two different types of centre-forward here; one being heavily involved and drifting out wide, and the other a real predator in and out of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both have performed superbly for their respective nations thus far, and their impressive statistics highlight that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like the No.10 debate, though, Mbappe has set the bar incredibly high during this tournament, hence he leads the way in almost every statistic barring touches in the opposing box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Kylian Mbappe<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n