‘Mbappe does not scare me’: Pau Cubarsi ahead of World Cup showdown

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Spain defender Pau Cubarsí says Kylian Mbappé does not intimidate him, but insists the France captain can change any match in an instant ahead of their World Cup semi-final.

Pau Cubarsí has dismissed suggestions that Kylian Mbappé intimidates Spain’s defenders ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final, stressing that respect, not fear, is the right approach.

The Barcelona centre-back acknowledged Mbappé’s exceptional quality, saying the France captain can decide a game with a single moment even when he appears quiet.

Cubarsí also highlighted Ousmane Dembélé’s unpredictability, describing the winger as equally dangerous because he is comfortable using either foot.

The 19-year-old recalled Spain’s dramatic victory over France in the Olympic final, saying the team never stopped believing despite appearing beaten.

Cubarsí compared Mbappé’s game-changing ability to that of teammate Lamine Yamal, calling both players unique talents who demand complete concentration throughout the 90 minutes.

Spain meet France in Dallas on Tuesday, seeking a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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