France v Spain LIVE: Team news and latest updates from World Cup semi-final

“It’s a good comparison [between Kylian Mbappe and Thierry Henry], the two best-ever French No 9s,” Viera said. “But Mbappe is quicker with his feet, the goal vs Morocco shows it, no space, eight players around him, he finds the way to make the shot and score.

“I think Mbappe is the best player in the world, I’d put him even above Messi.”

Here’s The Independent’s Richard Jolly reporting from Dallas ahead of kick off:

Patrick Vieira was asked to compare two French greats in Kylian Mbappe and Thierry Henry.

As part of ITV’s coverage of this semi-final he said: “It’s a good comparison, the two best-ever French No 9s, but Mbappe is quicker with his feet, the goal vs Morocco shows it, no space, eight players around him, he finds the way to make the shot and score.

“I think Mbappe is the best player in the world, I’d put him even above Messi.”

Ivan Barton of El Salvador is to be tonight’s referee and he meets mixed opinion.

He was in charge of the United States vs Mexico game in the Concacaf semi-finals that ended with four red cards and a brawl between the two teams erupting.

Barton also has had a moment in the spotlight this world cup as the only referee to have had to send a player off for covering their mouth when speaking to an opposition player – giving Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron a red card.

Spain XI: Unai Simon; Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz, Baena, Rodri; Olmo, Yamal. Oyarzabal

France XI: Maignan; Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Mbappe, Olise, Barcola