Xabi Alonso makes Spain vs France World Cup semi-final prediction

Spain and France will meet in a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 2006, a match that saw a veteran French side written off as too old before defeating an up-and-coming Spain. Now, former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has weighed in on the upcoming Stateside showdown — speaking at his unveiling as a Chelsea player, the Spaniard issued a prediction for the semi-final. The 2006 encounter, a last-16 tie, ended with France advancing; Alonso, then a key figure for Spain, will hope his forecast steers his country to a different outcome this time.