Crystal Palace pair Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta are one win away from a World Cup final after being named in France’s squad for Tuesday’s semi-final against Spain.
According to a fresh update from the club’s official site, cpfc.co.uk, both players have been included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the last-four tie at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick-off at 8pm UK time (3pm ET, 2pm local). France reached the semi-final unbeaten, beating Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-final, and a win over Spain would send Les Bleus into Sunday’s final.
Maxence Lacroix’s Stock Rises Amid Chelsea Interest
The centre-back’s performances on the international stage arrive with added significance back at Selhurst Park, where Chelsea’s interest in a summer move has continued to build. Palace have set a valuation comfortably above the figures currently being discussed in west London, and any deal is expected to hinge on the Eagles first securing a replacement.
Mateta, meanwhile, arrives at the semi-final having already tasted a major final with France’s Olympic squad in Paris two summers ago, when he started every match of the run to gold. A big performance for either man in Texas would only sharpen the debate at Selhurst Park over how quickly Pierre Sage can get his first-choice pair back into pre-season training once the World Cup dust settles.
Palace supporters will be watching two of their own take another step towards the biggest stage in world football, live from 8pm.
