France v Spain guarantees European finalist at World Cup
Three of the four remaining World Cup teams are European, with an all-continental clash between France and Spain guaranteeing the continent a place in the final.
The World Cup semi-finals are set, with France, Spain, England and Argentina remaining. Three of the four sides are European, ensuring the continent will have at least one representative in the final.
For a region where football is deeply embedded in public life, Tuesday's match between France and Spain carries significant weight. It is a direct contest between two European heavyweights, with the winner keeping the World Cup trophy on European soil.
France arrive in Dallas after a controlled 2-0 quarter-final defeat of Morocco. Kylian Mbappe leads the tournament with eight goals, leaving him just one behind Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup record. Yet France's primary strength lies in its collective depth. Ousmane Dembele has five goals, and Michael Olise leads the competition with five assists.
Spain will provide a formidable test. Luis de la Fuente's side holds the longest unbeaten run in its history, avoiding defeat in 36 matches since a March 2024 loss to Colombia. However, Spain has needed late intervention from substitute Mikel Merino to edge past both Portugal and Belgium. The side will hope Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 on the eve of the match, delivers a defining performance. Spain also carries the psychological advantage of having beaten France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
This is only the second World Cup meeting between the nations. France won their previous encounter 3-1 in the last 16 in 2006. A victory on Tuesday would put France into their eighth World Cup semi-final, equalling Brazil. Only Germany, with 12, has reached this stage more often.
Europe's third contender, England, faces defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel's side is chasing its first final appearance in 60 years. The match pits Messi against Jude Bellingham, who has scored twice in each of England's last two knockout matches, a feat last achieved by Diego Maradona in 1986.
England has reached the semi-finals in four major tournaments since 2018, equalling its entire historical tally prior to that year. Tuchel is only the second England manager to go unbeaten in his first six World Cup games, matching Alf Ramsey's 1966 record. With four consecutive World Cup wins, England has its longest winning run within a single edition since 1966.
