{"id":2666,"date":"2026-07-14T14:39:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=2666"},"modified":"2026-07-14T14:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:39:10","slug":"from-the-sports-desk-spain-france-meet-in-star-studded-world-cup-semifinal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=2666","title":{"rendered":"From The Sports Desk: Spain, France meet in star-studded World Cup semifinal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For the first time, FIFA\u2019s top four teams have all made the World Cup semifinals, and not since 1990 has the final four been made up entirely of previous winners. Five of the tournament\u2019s top six scorers will be in action.<\/em><\/p>\n

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It makes for two mouth-watering matchups over the next two days full of heated rivalries and intriguing subplots. The action kicks off this afternoon in Dallas with two European powerhouses, France vs. Spain. Tomorrow, England takes on Argentina in Atlanta.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Our NBC News team <\/em>will be live-blogging both games<\/em>. Don\u2019t miss out!<\/em><\/p>\n

World Cup Preview<\/h2>\n

Les Bleus vs La Roja. Free-flowing tournament favorites versus the tournament\u2019s meanest defense. Attacking individual flair versus an obsession with possession. Expect France vs. Spain to be a cagey but compelling clash of styles.<\/p>\n

Spain was crowned World Cup champions for the only time in its history in 2010 but must first get past France, the 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up. The game just happens to fall on Bastille Day, as France is aiming to reach its third straight World Cup final. Will the fireworks be heard louder in Paris or Madrid tonight?<\/p>\n

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente<\/strong> will be desperately hoping star winger Lamine Yamal<\/strong>, who turned 19 yesterday, can find the sort of electric form that helped fire La Roja to the European title two years ago. Then, Yamal scored in the semifinal against France in a 2-1 win in Munich. \u201cIt\u2019s undoubtedly the most important match I\u2019m ever going to play,\u201d Yamal said.<\/p>\n

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In an exhilarating tournament in which nearly all the big stars have performed, including France\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9,<\/strong> who leads the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, Yamal has been unspectacular so far, registering one goal and no assists. That said, he only scored once in the run that led to Spain becoming European champions. Yamal came into the World Cup nursing a hamstring injury. Spain instead has had to rely on clutch goal-scoring substitute Mikel Merino<\/strong> to score late winners in its last two knockout ties.<\/p>\n

Barcelona\u2019s Yamal and Real Madrid\u2019s Mbapp\u00e9 have faced each other 10 times during their career, with the Spaniard on the winning side on eight of these encounters. Mbapp\u00e9 has four other Madridistas alongside him in the French squad, in Aur\u00e9lien Tchouameni<\/strong> and new signing Ibrahima Konat\u00e9<\/strong>. Intriguingly, de la Fuente didn\u2019t name a single Real player in his World Cup squad, although left-back Marc Cucurella<\/strong> has since become a Los Blancos player having been signed from Chelsea.<\/p>\n

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France defender Jules Kound\u00e9<\/strong> knows Yamal well \u2014 they are teammates at Barcelona. However, it will be left-back Lucas Digne <\/strong>tasked with keeping Yamal quiet. Who wins that battle will go some way to deciding this contest. <\/p>\n

Men In Blazers<\/h2>\n

The crashout from U.S. soccer fans over the past week has been generational. Panic regarding Christian Pulisic<\/strong>\u2019s form has been a hot topic, and talks of this summer being a failure have been front and center. However, there\u2019s not enough optimism, when there is more than enough room for it. The U.S. will be in good hands feet over the next four years if even just one of the following talented young players can join the current crop.<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper has arguably been the one position the U.S. has failed to fill consistently since Tim Howard<\/strong> retired. In the ranks, though, are two incredible 20-year-old prospects in Barcelona\u2019s Diego Kochen<\/strong>, who just joined Danish side Lyngby on loan, and Brentford\u2019s Julian Eyestone<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Where the excitement truly rests, though, is in the attack. Cavan Sullivan<\/strong> has become well-known, but alongside the (future) Manchester City winger lie three more exciting options. New York Red Bulls teenager Julian Hall<\/strong> sits on nine goals in 15 appearances this MLS season, while Real Salt Lake\u2019s 19-year-old forward Zavier Gozo<\/strong> has caught the interest of Aston Villa. For European football fans, all eyes are on Borussia Dortmund\u2019s 17-year-old Mathis Albert<\/strong>, as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Pulisic and Gio Reyna<\/strong>. Here\u2019s to 2030, U.S. fans.<\/p>\n

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For more World Cup coverage sent straight to your inbox every morning,<\/em> subscribe to the Men in Blazers newsletter<\/em>. We\u2019ll be covering every match, every goal and every joyous moment that soccer\u2019s biggest spectacle is sure to bring.<\/em><\/p>\n

What We\u2019re Watching<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s only one game today! Clear your schedule. It\u2019s on Telemundo and Peacock, and the time listed is Eastern:<\/p>\n

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