Spain delivered one of their finest performances of the tournament to book a place in only their second World Cup final, stunning a France side that had entered the semi-final as one of the competition’s strongest teams.

Les Bleus arrived with huge attacking expectations, relying on the individual quality of players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise. However, Spain showed that a perfectly organised team can overcome even the most talented group of individuals, claiming a convincing 2-0 victory.

Luis de la Fuente’s side reminded the football world why they are European champions and why they have matched the international unbeaten record of 37 games. After quietly progressing through the tournament, Spain now look ready for Sunday’s final against either Argentina or England.

France, meanwhile, was unable to find solutions against Spain’s control and tactical discipline. Despite their attacking options, they managed only three shots on target and struggled to break through a defence that has been among the strongest at the World Cup.

Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton described Spain’s display as a complete domination, saying they had “flattened” France and shown superiority in both physical and tactical areas.

Roy Keane also highlighted the contrast between the two teams, explaining that France were a collection of outstanding players who failed to operate as a unit, while Spain showed the value of collective football.

De la Fuente proves his critics wrong

Spain’s journey under Luis de la Fuente has become one of the biggest stories of the tournament. When he was appointed head coach in December 2022, some questioned whether he was the right person to lead a nation accustomed to famous managers.

Unlike previous Spain coaches with global reputations, De la Fuente arrived after working with the country’s youth teams, including the under-19, under-21, and under-23 sides. His appointment was initially viewed as a quieter choice, but his results have provided a clear response.

After winning the Nations League in 2023 and lifting the European Championship trophy in 2024, the 65-year-old has now taken Spain to the biggest match in world football.

The coach believes the team’s success comes from commitment, sacrifice, and constant improvement. He said Spain had rediscovered the spirit of the 2010 World Cup-winning generation and praised the mentality of players who continued training after the semi-final despite not featuring.

A tactical masterclass built on control

Spain’s victory was another example of the football identity they have developed over many years. Their possession-based approach, aggressive pressing after losing the ball, midfield dominance, and quick combinations caused France problems throughout the match.

The trio of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Olmo controlled the centre of the pitch against France’s midfield setup. Olmo’s movement from the number 10 role created constant difficulties, as he regularly dropped deeper and gave Spain an extra passing option.

France attempted to deal with Olmo’s influence by allowing a centre-back to follow him, but the Spanish midfielder repeatedly escaped pressure and connected with nearby teammates to create attacking opportunities.

Spain’s second goal showed another area where they found success. The French defensive structure left space around the full-backs, allowing Spain’s wide players and defenders to overload those areas.

France defended in a passive 4-4-1-1 shape, focusing more on zones than individual marking. Spain took advantage by sending their full-backs forward, forcing French defenders into difficult situations where they had to cover multiple opponents.

For the decisive second goal, Pedro Porro exploited that space. After playing the ball, he continued his run, received the return pass, and finished after France failed to track his movement.

Spain’s numbers underline a historic campaign

Spain’s statistics show just how impressive their tournament has been. They have now equalled Italy’s record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, reaching 37 matches without defeat.

They have also achieved a defensive milestone by becoming the first team in World Cup history to record six clean sheets in a single edition of the competition.

Lamine Yamal has been another symbol of Spain’s success. The teenager has never lost a match while representing his country and has won all 12 of his World Cup and European Championship starts.

Spain’s defensive strength was also evident against France, who produced only 0.3 expected goals — the lowest figure recorded by a team in a World Cup semi-final since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.

Despite a difficult start, including a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde, Spain has improved as the tournament has progressed. They needed late goals against Portugal and Belgium earlier in the knockout stages, but against France they controlled the match from the beginning.

A united group chasing another title

Spain’s success has been built on a long-term connection between De la Fuente and many of his players. Several members of the squad worked with him during their youth careers, creating a strong sense of unity inside the team.

Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Unai Simon are among the players who began this journey under De la Fuente years ago, forming a group that has grown together through youth tournaments and now stands on the edge of World Cup glory.

After the victory, De la Fuente received a phone call from King Felipe VI as celebrations spread across Spain. The coach insisted there was no preferred opponent for the final, saying both England and Argentina would provide a major challenge.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Spain have raised the standard at the tournament and that their performance against France showed the qualities of a potential champion.

He pointed out that Spain’s consistency and tactical clarity separate them from other contenders while describing their semi-final display as the type of performance that belongs in football schools.

England and Argentina meet once again in one of international football’s most celebrated rivalries, with Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium offering both nations the chance to move within one victory of lifting the trophy. Across the decades, meetings between the sides have carried enormous significance, both on and off the pitch, helping build one of the game’s most enduring contests.

The rivalry has often been shaped by memorable World Cup encounters. Argentina claimed a famous 2-1 victory in the 1986 quarter-finals, a match remembered for Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and his remarkable solo effort soon afterwards. Twelve years later, England’s campaign ended in a penalty shootout against the South Americans after David Beckham’s dismissal, before Beckham found redemption in 2002 by converting the decisive penalty in a 1-0 group-stage success.

That 2002 encounter remains the most recent World Cup meeting between the countries. Although relations between the nations have softened over time, highlighted by Beckham and Diego Simeone sharing a friendly moment during Argentina’s last-16 victory over Cape Verde, the competitive edge between the teams remains as strong as ever whenever they face each other.

England chasing another breakthrough

England secured their place in the last four after recovering to defeat Norway 2-1 following extra time in difficult conditions in Miami. Jude Bellingham produced both goals, continuing an exceptional tournament in which he has scored two goals in each of his last two appearances. Among England players, only Harry Kane and Gary Lineker have recorded more World Cup matches with multiple goals, while Peru’s Téofilo Cubillas remains the only midfielder in tournament history with more such games than Bellingham.

Bellingham and Kane have each collected six goals during the competition, making England the first nation to have two players score at least six times in the same World Cup. Kane is also set to earn his 121st international appearance if selected, moving clear as England’s most-capped outfield player, with only Peter Shilton having represented the national team more often.

England’s latest victory also means they have now reached the semi-finals of four major tournaments since 2018, matching the number they had achieved before that period. Thomas Tuchel is attempting to guide the Three Lions to their first major title in six decades while aiming to become only the fourth coach to reach a World Cup final with a nation other than his own.

Anthony Gordon played a major attacking role against Norway by attempting 10 dribbles, becoming the first England player to reach double figures in that category at a World Cup since Darius Vassell in 2002. Bukayo Saka, whose workload has been carefully managed because of fitness concerns, has also made a significant creative contribution, averaging 1.01 assists per 90 minutes, a figure surpassed only by Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup among players with at least 200 tournament minutes.

Last 5 England matches stats

Argentina aiming for another final

Argentina arrive in Atlanta carrying impressive momentum after winning all six of their matches at the 2026 World Cup, the longest winning sequence in their tournament history. Lionel Scaloni’s side have scored exactly three goals in each of their previous four fixtures and could become only the second team to register at least three goals in five consecutive World Cup matches.

Their attacking output has been unmatched throughout the tournament. Argentina has produced 17 goals, more than any other nation, leaving them just one short of equalling their highest total from a single World Cup, set during the inaugural edition in 1930. The reigning champions, who lifted the trophy in Qatar four years ago after overcoming France on penalties, are now pursuing another appearance in the final.

Scaloni is seeking to become only the seventh coach to oversee two World Cup finals and just the second Argentine manager to achieve that feat after Carlos Salvador Bilardo. Argentina have also maintained a flawless record in World Cup semi-finals, progressing from each of their previous five appearances at this stage.

Lionel Messi continues to lead the attack with eight goals, matching Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead. Although he did not score in the 3-1 extra-time quarterfinal victory over Switzerland, the Inter Miami forward supplied the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal, becoming only the second player since 1966 to record at least 10 goal involvements in multiple World Cups alongside Mbappé.

Last 5 Argentina matches stats

Rivalry, records and head-to-head

Despite the magnitude of this rivalry, England have lost only two of their 14 meetings with Argentina, recording six victories and six draws. One of those drawn contests ended in Argentina’s favour via penalties at the 1998 World Cup, while England’s last defeat in normal time against the South Americans came during the famous 1986 quarter-final.

The Three Lions have avoided defeat across 90 minutes in each of their last five meetings with Argentina and have won the previous two encounters. The latest came in a 3-2 friendly success in 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice and Wayne Rooney also found the net.

This semi-final represents the sixth World Cup meeting between the countries. Argentina has only faced Germany more often in the competition, while they have also met the Netherlands six times. Among opponents they have encountered at least three times at the World Cup, Argentina owns a lower win percentage only against Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands than it does against England.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

England and Argentina arrive in the semi-final in outstanding form, making this one of the most evenly balanced matches of the tournament. England have shown resilience by overcoming difficult knockout tests, while Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have provided a consistent goal threat throughout the competition. Argentina, meanwhile, have been the tournament’s highest-scoring side and carry the confidence of a six-match winning streak, with Lionel Messi continuing to influence games through both goals and assists. The match is likely to be decided by fine margins, with England aiming to impose themselves physically and Argentina relying on their technical quality and attacking fluency. Extra time cannot be ruled out, but Argentina’s experience in the latter stages of major tournaments could prove decisive in another tightly contested encounter.

Prediction: England 1-2 Argentina (after extra time)

Expected outcome: A closely fought semi-final featuring long spells of tactical discipline and few clear-cut opportunities before individual quality separates the sides. England have every chance of reaching the final, but Argentina’s attacking momentum and experience in high-pressure World Cup matches give them a slight advantage. Regardless of the result, the contest is expected to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.

France and Spain, regarded as the two leading contenders for the 2026 World Cup title, will meet in a highly anticipated semi-final at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.

According to the latest Opta supercomputer projections, France remains the favourites to lift the trophy with a 34.6% chance of becoming champions. However, their route to the final requires them to overcome Spain, who are considered their closest challengers, with a 23.8 percent probability. The winner will face either England or Argentina in the decisive match.

France entered the semi-final after securing a sixth consecutive victory at the tournament, defeating Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals. A seventh straight win would see them join Italy as only the second European nation to achieve such a run at a World Cup, following Italy’s success in the 1934 and 1938 editions.

The match will mark France’s eighth appearance in a World Cup semi-final, a figure bettered only by Germany with 12. Les Bleus lost their first three semi-finals in 1958, 1982, and 1986 but have reached the final in all four of their latest appearances at this stage — in 1998, 2006, 2018, and 2022. Their last three semi-final victories were all achieved without conceding a goal.

France chase another historic achievement with Mbappé leading the attack

France has the chance to match the remarkable record achieved by Germany between 1982 and 1990 and Brazil from 1994 to 2002 by reaching three successive World Cup finals.

A major part of their hopes rests on Kylian Mbappé, who has once again delivered a spectacular tournament. The forward was forced off with an ankle problem during the win over Morocco, but he is expected to be available for the meeting with Spain.

Mbappé has scored eight goals in North America, putting him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. His performances have helped France reach the last four, while his World Cup knockout-stage record has reached 12 goals — the highest total recorded by any player.

Despite scoring in every other knockout round, including the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, and finals, Mbappé has yet to score in either of his previous semi-final appearances.

The France star has also played a key role in creating chances, particularly through his connection with Ousmane Dembélé. The pair have combined to create 19 opportunities for each other, with Mbappé setting up 10 chances for Dembélé and Dembélé returning the favour nine times.

Only three partnerships since 1966 have produced more than 20 created chances for one another at World Cups: Franz Beckenbauer and Wolfgang Overath, Rivaldo and Ronaldo, and Ángel Di María and Lionel Messi.

Last 5 France matches stats

✅    Serie A players called up for   🇫🇷    the France National team World Cup Squad:

• AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan
•  AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone
• AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot
• Inter forward Marcus Thuram

Spain rely on defensive strength and remarkable consistency

Spain has built their tournament campaign around defensive organisation, allowing only one goal so far. Charles De Ketelaere’s header in their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium remains the only time La Roja have been breached.

Their place in the semi-finals was secured in dramatic fashion when substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner against Portugal in the last 16 and repeated the achievement against Belgium. He became the first player in World Cup history to score winning goals in two knockout matches as a substitute.

Spain’s defensive reliability has extended beyond this tournament. Since the start of the 2018 World Cup, they have suffered only one defeat in 27 matches at major competitions, recording 16 wins and 10 draws. They have remained unbeaten in their last 14 games since losing 2-1 to Japan at the 2022 World Cup, conceding only five goals and keeping nine clean sheets.

The impressive run has taken Spain to only their second-ever World Cup semi-final. Their previous appearance came in 2010, when they went on to win the competition. Across seven semi-final appearances at major tournaments, their only elimination came against Italy at Euro 2020 after a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout defeat.

A victory over France would give Spain a record-breaking achievement, as they would become the first European team to win eight consecutive knockout matches at major tournaments. That would surpass Italy’s seven-match run from 1934 to 1938 and Spain’s own seven straight knockout victories between 2008 and 2012.

Last 5 Spain matches stats

Previous meetings, injuries and key battles before the semi-final

Neither team will have players suspended for the match, although France must carefully monitor the fitness of William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder has missed France’s previous two games due to a muscle problem.

Spain could receive a boost from Nico Williams, who is hoping to feature after recovering from a thigh injury. Yéremy Pino is also pushing for a return after suffering a shoulder issue against Uruguay.

The upcoming clash will be only the second World Cup meeting between France and Spain. Their previous encounter came in the 2006 round of 16, when Spain took the lead before France completed a comeback with two goals in the final 10 minutes to win 3-1.

However, recent history favours Spain, who have lost just twice in their last 10 meetings with France across all competitions, winning seven and drawing one. La Roja have also won their previous two encounters, including a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and a dramatic 5-4 Nations League final-four triumph in June last year.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

France goes into this semi-final as slight favourites thanks to their remarkable World Cup consistency, attacking depth, and experience in the later stages of major tournaments. Didier Deschamps’ side have shown the ability to win under pressure, while Kylian Mbappé’s outstanding form and his partnership with Ousmane Dembélé give them a major threat in the final third. Spain, however, arrive with huge confidence after producing one of the most disciplined defensive displays of the tournament and conceding just once so far. Luis de la Fuente’s team has combined technical quality with defensive stability, and their recent success against France proves they are capable of matching the tournament favourites. The match is expected to be a tactical battle between France’s explosive attacking transitions and Spain’s possession-based approach, with both teams likely to be cautious in the early stages. France may have a slight advantage due to their individual quality and knockout experience, but Spain’s organisation and confidence make this one of the closest semi-finals possible.

Prediction: France 2-1 Spain

Expected outcome: A narrow France victory in a high-level encounter where both sides create chances but defensive discipline plays a key role. Spain is unlikely to allow many opportunities and could push the match into extra time, yet Mbappé and France’s attacking talent may provide the decisive moment. A draw after 90 minutes would not be a surprise, as both teams have shown they can control games against elite opponents.

Lionel Messi has achieved almost everything possible during his remarkable career, yet Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta will present something entirely unfamiliar. The Argentina captain has represented his country more than 200 times and scored 125 international goals, but he has never previously faced the Three Lions.

For a period during Argentina’s quarter-final against Switzerland, it appeared that opportunity might slip away as the Europeans threatened an upset. Instead, the defending champions found a way through, claiming a 3-1 extra-time victory to secure their place in the last four.

Although Messi did not score in that match, ending his scoring streak at the tournament, he still shares top spot in the Golden Boot standings with France’s Kylian Mbappe on eight goals. He also remains the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Former England defender Micah Richards believes Messi’s presence alone changes the dynamic of the contest. He said Argentina builds their game around the Inter Miami forward, whose movement into small pockets of space, exceptional technique, and awareness make him almost impossible to contain. Richards also compared Messi’s personality and presence to Jude Bellingham’s, adding that the Argentine possesses an aura unmatched by any other footballer.

England aware of the threat despite Argentina’s flaws

Chris Sutton believes England will welcome the challenge of facing the current Argentina side, suggesting this version of the South Americans is not among their greatest despite repeatedly finding ways to progress through difficult situations.

Wayne Rooney also pointed to Messi’s unique qualities, explaining that while the veteran contributes little when Argentina are defending, he remains capable of deciding matches through his judgement and quality at decisive moments. According to Rooney, concentration and constant communication between England’s defenders will be essential if they hope to limit his influence.

South American football specialist Tim Vickery described this semi-final as the fixture Argentina had hoped for. He noted that it would have been difficult to imagine Messi ending an international career spanning more than 200 appearances without finally playing against the nation many Argentina supporters regard as their greatest football rivals.

Vickery also recalled the atmosphere during Argentina’s quarter-final victory, when supporters repeatedly sang songs directed at England, suggesting those chants will become even louder before the semi-final showdown.

Rivalry renewed after more than two decades

Meetings between England and Argentina have regularly produced unforgettable moments, helping establish one of international football’s most intense rivalries. Encounters between the two countries have included Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup and David Beckham’s dismissal during the 1998 tournament.

Despite that history, Wednesday’s contest will be the nations’ first meeting for almost 21 years. Since Messi made his Argentina debut as an 18-year-old, England and Argentina have crossed paths only once.

That friendly in Geneva took place just a few months after Messi’s senior debut, but the young forward was unavailable because he was serving a suspension. He had been sent off only 30 seconds into his first international appearance against Hungary after reacting to a challenge from Vilmos Vanczak, with referee Markus Merk producing a straight red card.

Without Messi, Argentina twice moved ahead in Geneva before Michael Owen scored two late goals to give Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The opponents Messi has enjoyed facing most

Messi has strengthened his legendary status with Argentina over the years, becoming both the country’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer before captaining his nation to World Cup glory in 2022.

His scoring record shows remarkable consistency against a wide range of opponents. Bolivia have conceded more goals to him than any other nation, with Messi finding the net 11 times in 12 meetings.

He has also scored seven goals against Venezuela and another seven against Ecuador, while Uruguay and Brazil have each been regular victims as well. European teams have struggled to contain him too, with three goals apiece against Croatia, Switzerland, and France. His three strikes against the French came in only three matches, including a memorable double in the 2022 World Cup final.

Among every country he has faced on more than one occasion, only Qatar has prevented Messi from scoring, despite meeting him twice.

England reached the World Cup semi-finals after overcoming Norway, yet Thomas Tuchel made it clear that the result alone did not satisfy him. The England boss praised the determination, belief, and togetherness shown by his players but admitted he expected a much higher standard with the ball. In his view, too many technical errors, inconsistent passages of play, and a lack of rhythm made the contest unnecessarily difficult.

Although pleased by the resilience his squad displayed, Tuchel stressed that the team is capable of producing far stronger football. He pointed to repeated momentum swings during the match and suggested England were too slow in possession, failing to repeat the patterns that are central to his tactical approach.

The contrast between England’s continued progress and the manager’s critical assessment has become one of the main talking points of the tournament. Despite winning matches, Tuchel believes improved performances are essential if his side are to keep advancing.

The style Tuchel is trying to build

Squad selection before the World Cup reflected the manager’s commitment to a clearly defined system, with players chosen according to specific tactical responsibilities. Competition for certain positions, including the attacking midfield role, highlighted how carefully each player had to fit the overall structure.

The framework is based on controlling possession, pressing opponents aggressively and circulating the ball with purpose to invite pressure before quickly attacking the space left behind. Against deeper defensive blocks, England are expected to create openings through the flanks by combining movement, rotations, and numerical superiority in wide areas.

Those concepts have appeared at different moments throughout the tournament, but Tuchel believes they have not been implemented consistently enough. His criticism after the Norway match focused almost entirely on England’s attacking play rather than their defensive work.

Why Norway caused frustration

Norway defended in a compact 4-5-1 formation, while England organised themselves in a 3-2-5 shape whenever they had possession. Marc Guehi, John Stones, and Ezri Konsa formed the first line, with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson positioned ahead of them, while Nico O’Reilly advanced into the attacking unit to provide an extra option against Norway’s defence.

When Tuchel said his team was “not repetitive enough”, he was most likely referring to the lack of sustained passing sequences designed to tempt Norway out of shape. His preferred method is to recycle possession patiently before accelerating the attack into newly created spaces either down the wings or beyond the defensive line.

That approach had already been evident earlier in the tournament against Ghana, when Tuchel instructed his players to keep exchanging short passes before switching play quickly. England briefly reproduced that pattern against Norway, drawing defenders towards one side before Anderson attempted to release Noni Madueke into space on the opposite flank. However, those situations became increasingly rare as the game progressed, with England’s possession dropping from 68% before the break to 44% after half-time.

Wide areas offered opportunities England rarely used

The movement within England’s wide triangles was intended to become one of the team’s main attacking weapons during the competition. Norway’s defensive organisation created favourable conditions for those combinations because their wide midfielders stayed alongside the central midfielders while the back four remained narrow.

This structure regularly left space on the outside. As Anthony Gordon moved inside, either O’Reilly or Anderson could attack the vacant channel behind Alexander Sorloth. Because Norway defended zones rather than following individual runners, England could have found free players by moving the ball into those areas more quickly.

Tuchel’s frustration stemmed from England’s inability to recognise and exploit those openings often enough. Similar patterns had previously troubled Norway against Iraq and France, yet England struggled to reproduce them with the same consistency.

One sequence summed up the manager’s concerns. Instead of moving the ball rapidly towards the unoccupied flank, Guehi carried possession at a slow tempo before forcing a pass through the centre, which was intercepted in a dangerous position. That example reflected Tuchel’s description of his side as “sloppy”.

Assistant coach Anthony Barry had expressed similar concerns earlier in the tournament after the Croatia match, saying England were not finding passes through the gaps or increasing the tempo as intended, instead slipping back into cautious habits. Five matches later, those observations still appeared relevant.

Individual quality continues to deliver

Although England did not fully exploit Norway’s defensive structure, they still found decisive moments through the players’ natural instincts. Their opening goal came after Orjan Nyland’s long goal kick reached Anderson, leaving Norway temporarily disorganised as they prepared for an aerial contest.

Anderson drove forward powerfully, forcing Julian Ryerson to commit before releasing Gordon into space on the left. As Kristoffer Ajer shifted across to cover, Sander Berge dropped into the defensive line, creating an opening for Jude Bellingham, who arrived unmarked and finished confidently.

England’s first goal against Mexico had followed a similar pattern. After regaining possession against an unsettled defence, Rice carried the ball directly at the full-back, delaying his movement and allowing Bukayo Saka to receive wide before Bellingham again timed his run into space created by Harry Kane’s movement.

The winning goal against Norway also arrived while the opposition was reorganising after defending a corner. Morgan Rogers’ powerful strike forced Nyland into a save, and Bellingham reacted quickest to convert the rebound. His anticipation once again proved decisive.

After the match, Bellingham highlighted the psychological side of tournament football, saying success depends on handling adversity as much as technical or tactical qualities. England have repeatedly shown they can thrive in chaotic situations through individual talent and mental strength, but Tuchel remains convinced that stronger collective performances will provide a more reliable path to victory.

With Argentina waiting in the semi-finals and having shown weaknesses in wide areas, the England manager is expected to continue searching for the attacking fluency he believes his team can achieve.