For the first time in World Cup history, all four of FIFA's top four-ranked teams entering the tournament have reached the semifinals. Seriously, how epic is that? We've got France, Spain, England, and Argentina all battling it out, guaranteeing some absolutely insane matchups. This isn't just a semifinal, this is a clash of giants, and it all kicks off with France and Spain going head-to-head.
France vs. Spain: A Dallas Slugfest With Ridiculous Talent
France was the first to lock down their spot, dismantling Morocco 2-0. Kylian Mbappé netted his eighth goal of the tournament, and Ousmane Dembélé bagged his fifth, pushing Les Bleus into their third consecutive semifinal appearance. Talk about a dynasty! Then Spain, with a solid 2-1 win over Belgium, secured their second semifinal trip ever. Remember, they last made it in 2010 when they won the whole darn thing. These two powerhouses are now set to collide in Dallas on Tuesday. This game is going to be bonkers. France has been on a tear, outscoring opponents 16-2 overall in this tournament, and Spain isn't far behind, running up an 11-1 score against their rivals. The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook have France favored at -148 to advance, with Spain at +120. Look at the talent: France's Kylian Mbappé is the favorite for both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, and Michael Olise leads the tournament in assists. For Spain, Unai Simon is favored for the Golden Glove and Lamine Yamal is favored for Young Player of the Tournament. France is actually favored to win the entire World Cup, with Spain right behind them. This is as star-studded as it gets, folks.England and Argentina: Gritty Journeys to an Atlanta Showdown
On Saturday, England and Argentina snagged the final two spots, setting up a wild game in Atlanta on Wednesday. England is hitting their stride, reaching the World Cup semifinal for the fourth time, and their second in the last three tournaments. They just matched their record for most victories in a single World Cup (five), a feat they last pulled off during their 1966 championship run. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both have five or more goals, making them the only other team besides France with two players hitting that mark. But man, Argentina's path to the semis has been a roller coaster! They're in back-to-back semifinals, but it was a fight every step of the way. In the Round of 32, they had to fend off a ferocious Cape Verde squad in extra time. Then in the Round of 16, they were down two goals with just over 10 minutes left against Egypt before pulling off one of the most improbable comebacks ever. And on Saturday night, Switzerland leveled the score with a 67th-minute equalizer before Breel Embolo got a second yellow and was sent off just minutes later. They just find a way! England is favored at -130 to advance, with Argentina at +106. These are two absolute monster matchups. On Tuesday, July 14 in Dallas, France and Spain are gonna throw down. Then on Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta, England and Argentina will battle for their spot. You do NOT want to miss this.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.