ARLINGTON, Texas — Kylian Mbappé and the French team have maintained a lead throughout the World Cup this year. Spain, featuring teenage talent Lamine Yamal and key substitute Mikel Merino, also has a perfect record so far. Only one team will reach the final.
France and Spain, both in their 17th World Cup, have only met once on this stage. They will compete on Tuesday at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, the first of two major semifinal matches. France entered the tournament as the top-ranked team by FIFA. They’ve outscored opponents 14-2. Mbappé, who won the Golden Boot in 2022, has eight goals, matching Lionel Messi for the top scorer. He is one goal behind Messi’s career record of 21 World Cup goals.
“We are confident, of course, with the course we have done so far, and we have to be,” said Adrien Rabiot, a French midfielder. “But always with this humility that has characterized us since the beginning of the competition.”
Mbappé, 27, has scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup appearances, including one in the 2018 win against Croatia. Coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that Mbappé is in good health after leaving the quarterfinal match against Morocco in the 77th minute following a goal.
Yamal, who turned 19 recently, has already experienced two semifinal victories with Spain over France. Scoring in a 2-1 win in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and contributing to a 5-4 victory in last year’s Nations League, Yamal has become a key player for Spain. Despite a left hamstring issue, the teenager has put 10 shots on target with one goal in the current World Cup. Yamal stated, “If France has to fear anyone, it should be us.” Following Spain’s quarterfinal success against Belgium, he called reaching the final his best birthday gift.
Jules Koundé, a France defender and a Barcelona teammate, expressed respect for Yamal’s confidence. Spain has scored 10 goals to one since a scoreless draw against Cape Verde in group play. The late contributions from Merino have been vital, securing wins as a late substitute. Goalkeeper Unai Simón set a World Cup record by going 650 minutes without conceding a goal until Belgium scored in the quarterfinals.
Spain midfielder Alex Baena pointed out that the team has improved with more games and practices. Merino’s goals, including an 88th-minute shot against Belgium and a last-minute goal against Portugal, have been decisive. The semifinal against France will also be held at this stadium.
This is the first World Cup since 1990 with all final four teams as previous winners. Defending champion Argentina, with Messi, will face England in another semifinal on Wednesday. The final will be played on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and the third-place match will occur on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
In their only previous World Cup meeting, France defeated Spain 3-1 in a 2006 round of 16 match. Since then, Spain won its only World Cup in 2010, and France claimed its second in 2018.
Playing on Bastille Day, France aims to join Brazil and Germany as the only teams to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Argentina previously denied France a consecutive title in 2022 after a dramatic penalty shootout.
This match marks France’s seventh semifinal appearance and its fifth in the last eight tournaments. Spain has only reached the semifinals twice, first in 1950 and then in 2010 when they won the title.
AT&T Stadium in North Texas hosts its ninth tournament game, having already seen memorable soccer moments, including goals from Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo also ended his World Cup career there, marking the last appearance of the iconic player.