Mbappe vs Yamal
France will battle it out with Spain in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup at the Dallas Stadium on Tuesday for a place in the final of the competition.
The Didier Deschamps-led side won the tournament in 2018 and lost the final of the 2022 edition to Argentina, they will be hoping to seal a third consecutive final spot in North America.
The Les Bleus are the highest-scoring side in the tournament with 16 goals and they have won all their six matches.
They are now looking to become just the second European side to win seven in a row, after Italy across the 1934 and 1938 editions.
On the other hand, Spain have been solid defensively in the tournament, conceding just once in six matches.
After six games, Spain have faced just seven shots on target. That’s the fewest shots on target faced per match (1.17) of any side at a men’s World Cup on record (since 1966).
Spain have maintained their trademark passing style, completing 598 passes per match at this World Cup (behind only Argentina) and averaging more possession than any other side (66.0%).
The 2010 champions are now preparing for just a second World Cup semi-final – and their first since going all the way in South Africa some 16 years ago.
Their recent record when it really counts is truly superb. Since the start of Russia 2018, they have lost just one of 27 major tournament matches, going unbeaten in the last 14 while keeping nine clean sheets.
Read Also: ‘We are ready to go to war,’ says Spain coach De La Fuente ahead France clash
The French team occupy the number one position in the latest FIFA rankings while Spain sits third.
Spain have lost just one of their 27 matches at major tournaments (W16 D10) since the start of the 2018 World Cup. They are unbeaten in 14 since a 2-1 loss to Japan at the 2022 World Cup, conceding just five goals and never more than one in a game (9 clean sheets).
Players To Watch
Kylian Mbappe: The Real Madrid forward has been a key player for France in this tournament with eight goals. He has created 16 chances, a total that can only be bettered by three other players, and he has also recorded three assists.
Ousmane Dembele: The PSG forward has scored five goals and recorded two assists in six games.
Michael Olise: He has been the most creative player in the tournament with five assists.
He is the first player to hit that mark at a single World Cup since Germany’s Thomas Häßler (1994). Olise is just one assist away from equalling Pele’s record for the most at a men’s World Cup (since 1966).
Lamine Yamal: The Barcelona star is Spain’s most dangerous player with his explosive and skillful style of play. He has scored one goal in the tournament. He has converted just one of his 23 shots (4%).
Mikel Oyazarbal has been Spain’s top scorer in the tournament with four goals.
Mikel Merino came off the bench against Portugal and Belgium to score vital goals that led Spain to the semi-finals.
He became the first player in World Cup history to score a winner in two knockout matches as a substitute. The only player to net in three straight substitute appearances at a single World Cup edition is Romelu Lukaku this year.
France vs Spain Head-to-Head
This will be just the second ever World Cup meeting between France and Spain. Their previous encounter was a last-16 clash back in 2006, when France came from behind and sealed a 3-1 victory with two goals in the final 10 minutes.
However, Spain have lost just two of their last 10 meetings with France in all competitions (W7 D1) and triumphed in each of the last two.
Spain vs France Form Guide
France World Cup form: W W W W W W
Spain World Cup form: D W W W W W
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Time: 8:00pm Nigerian Time.
Six players that could decide France vs Spain semifinal clash
France will battle it out with Spain in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup at the Dallas Stadium on Tuesday for a place in the final of the competition.
The Didier Deschamps-led side won the tournament in 2018 and lost the final of the 2022 edition to Argentina, they will be hoping to seal a third consecutive final spot in North America.
The Les Bleus are the highest-scoring side in the tournament with 16 goals and they have won all their six matches.
They are now looking to become just the second European side to win seven in a row, after Italy across the 1934 and 1938 editions.
On the other hand, Spain have been solid defensively in the tournament, conceding just once in six matches.
After six games, Spain have faced just seven shots on target. That’s the fewest shots on target faced per match (1.17) of any side at a men’s World Cup on record (since 1966).
Spain have maintained their trademark passing style, completing 598 passes per match at this World Cup (behind only Argentina) and averaging more possession than any other side (66.0%).
The 2010 champions are now preparing for just a second World Cup semi-final – and their first since going all the way in South Africa some 16 years ago.
Their recent record when it really counts is truly superb. Since the start of Russia 2018, they have lost just one of 27 major tournament matches, going unbeaten in the last 14 while keeping nine clean sheets.
Read Also: ‘We are ready to go to war,’ says Spain coach De La Fuente ahead France clash
The French team occupy the number one position in the latest FIFA rankings while Spain sits third.
Spain have lost just one of their 27 matches at major tournaments (W16 D10) since the start of the 2018 World Cup. They are unbeaten in 14 since a 2-1 loss to Japan at the 2022 World Cup, conceding just five goals and never more than one in a game (9 clean sheets).
Players To Watch
Kylian Mbappe: The Real Madrid forward has been a key player for France in this tournament with eight goals. He has created 16 chances, a total that can only be bettered by three other players, and he has also recorded three assists.
Ousmane Dembele: The PSG forward has scored five goals and recorded two assists in six games.
Michael Olise: He has been the most creative player in the tournament with five assists.
He is the first player to hit that mark at a single World Cup since Germany’s Thomas Häßler (1994). Olise is just one assist away from equalling Pele’s record for the most at a men’s World Cup (since 1966).
Lamine Yamal: The Barcelona star is Spain’s most dangerous player with his explosive and skillful style of play. He has scored one goal in the tournament. He has converted just one of his 23 shots (4%).
Mikel Oyazarbal has been Spain’s top scorer in the tournament with four goals.
Mikel Merino came off the bench against Portugal and Belgium to score vital goals that led Spain to the semi-finals.
He became the first player in World Cup history to score a winner in two knockout matches as a substitute. The only player to net in three straight substitute appearances at a single World Cup edition is Romelu Lukaku this year.
France vs Spain Head-to-Head
This will be just the second ever World Cup meeting between France and Spain. Their previous encounter was a last-16 clash back in 2006, when France came from behind and sealed a 3-1 victory with two goals in the final 10 minutes.
However, Spain have lost just two of their last 10 meetings with France in all competitions (W7 D1) and triumphed in each of the last two.
Spain vs France Form Guide
France World Cup form: W W W W W W
Spain World Cup form: D W W W W W
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Time: 8:00pm Nigerian Time.
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