France v Spain: a ‘final before the final’ decides who goes through to the World Cup dream
In Arlington, Texas, the semi-final between France – the 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up – and Spain, the European champions
Some matches need no introduction. France v Spain is one of those fixtures that, on its own, is enough to explain the appeal of a World Cup. Two national teams brimming with talent, two different yet equally effective footballing philosophies, two generations of champions ready to battle it out for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
In Arlington, Texas, a semi-final is taking place that feels like a final in the making. On one side is Didier Deschamps’ France, world champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, who are dreaming of reaching their third consecutive final. On the other side are Luis De la Fuente’s Spain, the reigning European champions, determined to return to the top of the world sixteen years after their triumph in South Africa.
France go into the match on the back of a virtually flawless campaign. Les Bleus dominated their group, finishing with a perfect record thanks to victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway, demonstrating impressive technical and athletic superiority right from the start.
In the knockout stages, Mbappé and his team-mates continued to win without too much difficulty. Sweden were beaten 3–0, Paraguay proved to be the toughest challenge with a narrow 1–0 victory, whilst in the quarter-finals Morocco were defeated 2–0 thanks to yet another display of great maturity. France are the only national team to have reached the semi-finals having won every match they have played in the tournament.
Whilst France’s campaign has been characterised by their attacking prowess, Spain’s has been based primarily on defensive solidity. Following a surprise draw in their opening match against Cape Verde, La Roja gradually raised the standard of their play, beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to finish top of the group.
