The report says France have combined attacking threat with defensive authority throughout their campaign. That balance is what separates them from several other contenders, particularly at the knockout stage, where one weakness can end a title challenge.
Jenas acknowledged the danger, saying: “A França assusta, eu sei disso. Assusta muito”. He also praised the way Didier Deschamps’ team has performed while maintaining that Spain may be finding its best rhythm at the perfect time.
Desailly’s argument is more direct. If France avoid major fitness problems, he believes a third World Cup triumph is likely. That confidence reflects the depth and experience available to Deschamps, with Kylian Mbappé remaining the obvious headline-maker in attack.
Jenas has not abandoned his original call. “Eu disse Espanha no início, então vou seguir com a Espanha,” he said, insisting that Luis de la Fuente’s side remains his choice despite France appearing more complete.
The report describes Spain as stronger going forward than defensively. That imbalance could become decisive against elite opposition, but their technical control and growing attacking fluency make them a dangerous potential semi-final opponent.
The immediate test is France vs Morocco in the quarter-finals. Spain, meanwhile, are expected to face Belgium, with the winner potentially meeting France in the last four.
That possibility gives both quarter-finals added weight. France must first handle Morocco’s resilience, while Spain will need to prove that Jenas’ faith is more than loyalty to an early prediction. The next fixtures will reveal whether Desailly’s certainty or Jenas’ patience has been better judged.