France and Spain will renew one of international football’s fiercest rivalries when the European heavyweights collide in the first semi-final in Dallas, with a place in the final against either Argentina or England at stake.
The clash pits together two of the continent’s most successful sides and offers an intriguing subplot between established superstar Kylian Mbappe and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. For many, it is the standout fixture of the tournament, featuring the reigning European champions against a French side chasing a third consecutive appearance in the World Cup final.
France, champions in 1998 and 2018, are bidding to become only the third nation after Brazil and Germany to reach three straight World Cup finals. Didier Deschamps’ men have won all six of their matches in North America, scoring 16 goals on their way to the last four.
Les Bleus topped Group I before dispatching Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco in the knockout rounds. Their latest victory came in Boston, where Mbappe recovered from missing a first-half penalty to score and then set up Ousmane Dembele in a 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco.
Deschamps, who is expected to step down after the tournament, will oversee his 26th World Cup match, surpassing Germany great Helmut Schon’s longstanding record. France’s recent pedigree on the biggest stage is equally impressive: they have won each of their last four World Cup semi-finals and kept clean sheets in the last three.
Yet history offers encouragement for Spain as well. La Roja have won seven of their last 10 meetings with France, including memorable victories in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year. In that pulsating 5-4 Nations League encounter, Mbappe was on target, but Yamal struck twice as Spain advanced.
The 19-year-old Barcelona winger, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, insisted Spain will not be intimidated by their neighbours.
“Obviously we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We’ll see what happens, but we have no fear,” Yamal said after Spain’s quarter-final victory over Belgium.
“There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente echoed his star winger’s confidence while acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge.
“The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles,” De la Fuente said. “We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team.”
Spain’s route to the semi-finals has been less straightforward but equally impressive. After finishing top of Group H, they overcame Austria, Portugal and Belgium, with substitute Mikel Merino emerging as an unlikely hero. The midfielder became the first player in World Cup history to score winning goals in two knockout matches after coming off the bench.
While Mbappe leads the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals and three assists, Spain have relied on collective strength. Mikel Oyarzabal has scored four times, and De la Fuente’s side have conceded only once in five matches.
Deschamps, meanwhile, downplayed suggestions that he is solely responsible for France’s sustained dominance.
“I don’t know, having very good players I guess. But I can’t be doing my job too badly,” he said.
Mbappe offered a glimpse of the bond within the French camp, saying: “It is in this squad’s DNA to all be together and behind the coach, whatever happens.”
Tuesday’s semi-final, therefore, is more than a contest between two footballing giants. It is a meeting of generations, with Mbappe carrying France’s hopes and Yamal spearheading Spain’s future, as both nations move to within one victory of World Cup glory.
