France and Spain have dominated this World Cup, but only one can reach the final

By — Stephen Hawkins, Associated Press Stephen Hawkins, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/france-and-spain-have-dominated-this-world-cup-but-only-one-can-reach-the-final Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter France and Spain have dominated this World Cup, but only one can reach the final Nation Jul 14, 2026 2:46 PM EDT ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé and France haven't trailed at all in this year's World Cup. Neither has Spain with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and clutch goal-scoring substitute Mikel Merino. Only one of those teams can make it to the final. France and Spain, both at their 17th World Cup, have met only once previously on soccer's biggest stage. They play Tuesday at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in the first of two powerhouse semifinal matches. After entering this tournament as FIFA's top-ranked team, France has outscored its opponents 14-2. Mbappé, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, has eight goals to match Lionel Messi for the scoring lead this time, and is one behind the Argentina captain's career record of 21 at the World Cup. "We are confident, of course, with the course we have done so far, and we have to be," France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said. "But always with this humility that has characterized us since the beginning of the competition." The 27-year-old Mbappé has 20 goals in his 20 World Cup matches, including one in the 2018 win over Croatia when he joined Pele as the only teenagers to score in a World Cup final. Coach Didier Deschamps said Mbappé is fine physically after exiting in the 77th minute of Les Bleus' quarterfinal win over Morocco after scoring a goal. Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has already been part of two semifinal wins with Spain over France. He was just days shy of his 17th birthday when he scored in a 2-1 win during the 2024 European Championship semifinals, and Spain won 5-4 in Nations League play last year. "I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion," Yamal said after Spain's quarterfinal victory over Belgium. "We were the ones that knocked them out before." The teen has only one goal while putting 10 shots on target after coming into this World Cup still nursing a left hamstring issue. He missed the final weeks of the season for Spanish club Barcelona. "It's the most important match I'm going to play," Yamal said Monday, adding his best birthday gift would be a victory and trip to the final. "We are all so excited, especially me." READ MORE: What to know about new rules and technology behind the World Cup's most contentious calls France defender Jules Koundé also plays for Barcelona, so he knows Yamal well and didn't feel disrespected by the earlier comments. "He always does it with (Barcelona). He trusts a lot in his virtues, in the virtues of the team where he plays," Koundé said in translated remarks. "An extra motivation for him and that's it, that's all.