After 100 matches at this year’s World Cup, the tournament has narrowed to four teams: France, Spain, England, and Argentina. The semifinals, set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Dallas and Atlanta respectively, promise high drama and a clash of footballing titans. All four nations are former champions, and the line-up marks the first time since 1990 that the semifinals consist entirely of previous winners.
France vs. Spain: A Rematch with Revenge on the Line
France and Spain renew their rivalry in Dallas on Tuesday at 9 pm CET, just two years after their Euro 2024 semifinal encounter. Spain won that match 2-1, with a then-16-year-old Lamine Yamal scoring. Spain went on to lift the European Championship by beating England in the final. For France, the memory stings, especially as captain Kylian Mbappé played through a broken nose during that tournament.
Now, France enters the semifinal on Bastille Day as arguably the most impressive team of the World Cup. Mbappé leads the golden boot race with eight goals, and the squad boasts a wealth of attacking talent, including Ousmane Dembélé and emerging stars like Michael Olise and Désiré Doué. Spain, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries to Yamal and Nico Williams, relying on late goals from substitute Mikel Merino to edge past Portugal and Belgium in the knockout rounds.
The two nations have a storied history in major tournaments. France defeated Spain in the final of Euro 1984, and their meetings often produce tight, tactical battles. This semifinal could be another classic, with France seeking quick revenge and Spain aiming to prove their resilience.
England vs. Argentina: A Bitter Rivalry Renewed
England and Argentina meet in Atlanta on Wednesday at 9 pm CET in a match that transcends football. The rivalry is rooted in the 1982 Falklands War, and on the pitch, it has produced iconic and controversial moments. In 1966, Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off in a bad-tempered quarterfinal against England, who went on to win the World Cup. Twenty years later, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal helped Argentina eliminate England in the quarterfinals en route to the title. In 1998, David Beckham’s red card for kicking Diego Simeone led to Argentina’s penalty shootout victory, and in 2002, Beckham scored a penalty to secure a 1-0 win that eliminated Argentina at the group stage.
Remarkably, this will be Lionel Messi’s first-ever match against England in his 205 appearances for Argentina. At 39, Messi is playing in what is likely his last World Cup, having already led Argentina to glory in Qatar 2022. A second consecutive title would cement his legacy as the greatest of all time and make Argentina the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. England, led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham—both with six goals in the tournament—will look to end their own long wait for a World Cup trophy.
The Golden Boot Race Heats Up
The golden boot competition has become a thrilling subplot. Mbappé and Messi lead with eight goals each, while Erling Haaland—though Norway is eliminated—scored seven. England’s Bellingham and Kane have six, and France’s Dembélé has five. Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal, with four goals, could still challenge if Spain advance. The race adds an extra layer of intensity to the semifinals, as the world’s most lethal finishers vie for individual glory.
With four former champions, bitter rivalries, and a golden boot race featuring five of the top six scorers, these semifinals are a “line-up for the ages,” as the Associated Press noted. The outcomes are too close to call, but one thing is certain: European football fans are in for a treat.
