France vs Spain: A World Cup Semi-Final That Feels Like a Final

Six wins from six. No defeats. Fourteen goals scored, just two conceded across the entire tournament. If you're still sleeping on Didier Deschamps' France heading into Tuesday's World Cup semi-final at Dallas Stadium, let's be honest — you haven't been watching. France topped Group I with a perfect nine points, then dismantled Sweden 3-0, edged Paraguay 1-0 and swept past Morocco 2-0 in the quarters. They are, without question, the most complete team left in this competition. Top of their semi-final standings with 9 points and a goal difference of +8, Les Bleus have not just been winning — they've been suffocating opponents.

The man at the centre of it all is Kylian Mbappé, joint top scorer in the entire World Cup with eight goals — level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race — plus three assists across six appearances, carrying an API-Football match rating of 8.3. He's been absolutely electric. But the real story of France's tournament has been the collective. Michael Olise (SAM rating 9.0/10, 5 assists, 11 key passes) has been a revelation in his first World Cup, his tournament-high assist tally within one of matching an all-time single-edition record. Ousmane Dembélé has chipped in with five goals and two assists from midfield, rating 8.1 across six matches. Aurélien Tchouaméni (SAM 9.0/10) has been managing a knock that kept him out of the last couple of games, but is reportedly back and available — if not fully sharpened. Mike Maignan (SAM 8.6/10) has conceded just twice in six matches, bringing the kind of goalkeeper form that wins tournaments. Behind him, Jules Koundé (SAM 9.1/10) and Dayot Upamecano (SAM 8.8/10) have been steely, though Upamecano hasn't completed 90 minutes once throughout the competition. These aren't just solid defenders — they're the kind of back line that makes you feel like goals from open play are virtually impossible to come by.

Spain, though, are no pushover. Not even close. Luis de la Fuente's side are into their first World Cup semi-final since lifting the trophy in 2010, and they've done it the hard way. They drew with Cabo Verde in the group stage, then ground out narrow wins including a late Mikel Merino goal to beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Their standing shows 7 points, a GD of +5 and a run of form (W2, D1) that looks slightly shakier on paper than France's but masks something important: this team doesn't panic. Rodri (SAM 8.6/10, match rating 7.7 over six games, 9 key passes) is the engine — the Ballon d'Or winner controlling tempo from deep, probably the most influential single player on the Spanish side. Pau Cubarsí (rating 7.6), Aymeric Laporte (7.5, 1 assist) and Pedro Porro (7.5, 1 goal, 9 key passes) have built a defensive structure that hadn't conceded a single goal until Belgium broke through on Friday. Their striker Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals and one assist in six games, making him Spain's most clinical attacker and the fourth top scorer in the entire tournament. Dani Olmo, Marc Cucurella and Fabián Ruiz bring the kind of Premier League-tested quality to proceedings that makes La Roja dangerous in every phase.

Here's the thing — the decisive battle will be fought in midfield. France's Olise and Dembélé love space in behind, while Spain's Rodri and Pedri (seven key passes, rating 7.3) will do everything to deny them it. Lamine Yamal (SAM 8.6/10) has been quieter than his Euro 2024 billing suggested — just one goal in the tournament — and that has put pressure on Oyarzabal to carry the attacking load. On the other side, Mbappé against Cubarsí and Laporte's high defensive line is the matchup that could settle the whole tie in a single moment, and he tends to deliver in those moments. The winner of Tuesday's semi-final at Dallas Stadium advances to the World Cup final on July 19, where Argentina or England will be waiting. France's football has been the best in the tournament, their squad depth is extraordinary and their goalkeeper hasn't been beaten twice in any single match. Spain will make this tight — they always do — but France's engine is running too hot right now. Les Bleus win 2-0, Mbappé among the goals, and they book their place in the final.