The soccer gods owe us a huge apology, seriously. France vs. Spain, the World Cup final everyone's been waiting for, is happening Tuesday in Dallas. This is just a semifinal, man, it feels wrong that we're getting the reigning World Cup finalists going up against the reigning European champs this early. But hey, it's what's on tap, and recent form tells us France absolutely has the upper hand, and it's not even close like we thought it might be a couple months back.
France's Unstoppable Machine Just Keeps Rolling
Didier Deschamps' crew has been an impenetrable machine out there. We're talking five multi-goal wins in six matches, which is just insane. They've punched their ticket to a third consecutive semifinal, a feat only Germany and Brazil have ever pulled off. If you caught their 2-0 dismantling of Morocco in Boston, you know it never felt in doubt, not for a second. Even when Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty, his first failed spot kick for France since Euro 2020, he just shrugged it off, scored anyway, then assisted Ousmane Dembélé six minutes later. That's the kind of tournament he's having. When mistakes turn into sheer brilliance, everyone else is just playing for second place. Oh, and get this, Mbappé is sitting on 20 career World Cup goals. He's just one behind Lionel Messi's all-time record of 21, a record Messi has been extending in real time. Mbappé has scored in every single knockout game France has played. His 12 career knockout-stage goals? Already a record all on their own. He could literally equal or even pass the greatest scoring mark in World Cup history on Tuesday, against Spain, with a spot in the final hanging in the balance. Talk about a scriptwriter's dream!Spain's Unbeaten Streak On The Line With Major Questions
Spain, on the other hand, did not have an easy time against Belgium. Luis de la Fuente's team totally dominated the ball in Los Angeles, racking up 68% possession and more than two expected goals compared to Belgium's 0.38. And still, they needed an 88th-minute gift to survive! Charles De Ketelaere's header right before halftime was the first goal Spain had given up all summer, snapping a record 650-minute World Cup scoreless streak. Then Thibaut Courtois limped off in tears, backup Senne Lammens fumbled a routine save, and Mikel Merino, who was the match-winner against Portugal, did it again and buried the rebound. La Roja are in their first semifinal since 2010, and they're riding a ridiculous 36-game unbeaten run, which is just one short of Italy's all-time record of 37. Impressive numbers, for sure. But Fabián Ruiz's opener aside, this team struggled big time to turn all that possession into actual goals or any real excitement. Which brings us to Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old tore his hamstring scoring a penalty back in April against Celta Vigo, missed the rest of Barcelona's title run, and basically arrived at this World Cup racing against the clock. He's played six matches, which is the most ever by a player 18 or under at a World Cup, and he's had his moments, testing Courtois and Lammens repeatedly on Friday. But the full Euro 2024 version, the kid who completely bent defenses sideways? We've only seen flashes, that's about it. Whether it's rust, that hamstring, or just a teenager being cautious with his own body, Spain desperately needs him at 100% on Tuesday. The evidence, unfortunately, says he isn't there. And that's the real tension in this game. Spain will have the ball, because they always do. But can they do anything with it? This is it, folks. Tuesday in Dallas. France's impenetrable attack vs. Spain's possession and questionable finishing. Can Mbappé make history, or will Spain pull off the upset and keep their crazy unbeaten streak alive? Don't miss it.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.