After 100 matches at this year’s World Cup, we’re now down to the final four – and what a prospect these semifinals are for football fans around the globe.
With France vs. Spain at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday (9 pm CET) and England vs. Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday (9 pm CET), expect drama and see-sawing emotions (and that’s just for the neutrals) as the four nations look to progress to the World Cup final on Sunday 19 July.
Even before anything happens on the pitch, the pre-match facts speak for themselves: Four previous champions, the four top-ranking teams in the world, five of the six top scorers in the tournament, one ‘GOAT’, and one of the bitterest rivalries in world football.
It’s a World Cup semifinal “line-up for the ages”, said AP. Here are the key talking points to know ahead of the heavyweight clashes…
Too close to call
Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four nations in FIFA’s rankings and are two wins away from being crowned champion of the world again.
Not since 1990 has the final four of a World Cup been made up entirely of previous winners. England and Argentina were involved then, although they didn’t play each other. Then, like now, Argentina were the defending champions – after beating West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico – and went on to lose to West Germany in the 1990 final.
And this year could also see a repeat final from Qatar 2022 if France and Argentina both advance.
Which way will the semifinals go? It’s really just too close to call…
France vs. Spain: A quick chance for French revenge
France and Spain meet again in the semifinals of a major tournament, just two years since going head-to-head at the UEFA European Championship.
Spain won 2-1 with a then-16-year-old Lamine Yamal on the scoresheet and went on to lift the Euros by beating England in the final.
French captain Kylian Mbappé’s powers were diminished in that tournament after sustaining a broken nose, while emerging stars like Michael Olise and Désiré Doué were yet to break through.
Two years on and France are widely regarded to have been the most impressive team of this World Cup with a dizzying array of attacking talent and the joint leading scorer in Mbappé ahead of the semifinal, which is being played on Bastille Day.
In contrast, Spain have had to contend with injuries to Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams coming into the tournament, and have relied on late goals from substitute Mikel Merino to edge past Portugal and Belgium in the last two knockout rounds.
The nations have met on a number of occasions at the World Cup or Euros. France beat Spain in the final of Euro 84.
England vs. Argentina: A bitter rivalry
Argentina must overcome England in a match that resumes a fierce rivalry that goes beyond the football field, with tensions also relating to the 1982 conflict over the Falklands Islands.
On the field there have been numerous flashpoints between the teams on the World Cup stage. Argentina captain Antonio Rattin, whose death was announced on Saturday, was sent off in a bad-tempered quarterfinal match against winners England in 1966. England manager Alf Ramsey tried to stop his players from swapping shirts with their opponents after a 1-0 victory.
Roll the clock forward 20 years and in 1986 Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal helped Argentina to a 2-1 win against England in the quarterfinals on the way to lifting the trophy.
David Beckham was sent off in 1998 for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone, who was predictably criticised by the English media for his reaction to what appeared to be light contact. Argentina won that round of 16 match on penalties.
Beckham then got his revenge four years later by scoring a penalty in a 1-0 win that contributed to Argentina being eliminated at the group stage.
Messi faces England for the first time
While the England-Argentina rivalry is already part of football folklore, it’s something that even the great Lionel Messi has not experienced in his long, glittering career.
Because after 205 appearances for Argentina, in which he has scored a staggering 125 goals, this will be Messi’s first ever game against England…
After inspiring his nation to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, Argentina talisman Messi is already considered by many to be the greatest of all time (the GOAT). And his performances at what is likely his last World Cup, aged 39, have only strengthened that argument.
If Messi can lead Argentina to the title again, he would surpass the great Maradona by winning two World Cups for his country.
Argentina would also become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Football great Pelé was part of those Brazil teams and also went on to win a third World Cup in 1970.
The race for the golden boot
It has become a thrilling competition within the tournament as many of the world’s most lethal finishers have all turned up in peak form.
Erling Haaland and Norway may now be out of the tournament after the loss to England, but five of the six top scorers are still standing and others could yet force their way into the race for the 2026 golden boot.
France captain Mbappé and Argentina skipper Messi lead the way with eight goals each. Haaland scored seven, England duo Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have six each, while French forward Ousmane Dembélé has five.
Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals, so could yet challenge if Spain overcome France in the semifinals.
There’s also the contest for the all-time top scorer at World Cups overall with Messi on 21 goals and Mbappé on 20.
Golden boot race ahead of the semifinals:
- 8 goals: Kylian Mbappé (France); Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 7 goals: Erling Haaland (Norway)
- 6 goals: Harry Kane (England); Jude Bellingham (England)
- 5 goals: Ousmane Dembélé (France)
- 4 goals: Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)