Late last year, when the FIFA World Cup draw was set, the world's four top-ranked teams were placed in opposite corners of a new, expanded knockout bracket.Spain, Argentina, France and England have held FIFA's top four international spots for almost exactly two years.Now, they will face each other for the right to hoist the World Cup trophy: France versus Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, followed by Argentina against England on Wednesday in Atlanta — then the winners' faceoff at Sunday's final in East Rutherford, N.J."[France-Spain] could be a World Cup final-before-the-final, just as the game between Argentina and England could also be a final.
We are all the top four national teams," said Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, laying out the stakes for his team — and the others — to reporters Monday."We have to be careful not to make any mistakes.We need to try to have the game under control as much as possible.
We need to be sharp and clinical in the boxes," he continued."If we are content with what we've done so far, things won't go well."Unlike other recent games, which have taken place amid high heat and humidity, both of the semifinal matches will be held indoors.Here's what else to know about the semifinals:This is a classic "unstoppable force meets immovable object" game.
France has arguably the strongest attack of any team left in the tournament, and Spain has the best defense.Both of these teams have won the World Cup in recent years — Spain in 2010 and France in 2018 (and the runner-up in 2022).This time, France is the favorite (no matter what their coach Didier Deschamps humbly claims).
Les Bleus' front features three of the best attacking players in the sport: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.No player has scored more goals in this World Cup than Mbappé, who has eight.
Dembélé has added five goals of his own, and Olise leads all players at the World Cup with five assists.Spain has conceded only one goal across its six ...