Tuesday, July 14, 2026, is locked in for an absolute banger: France versus Spain in the World Cup Semifinal, with a spot in the final on the line. This isn't just another game; it's another chapter in what's becoming a nasty rivalry, pitting superstar Kylian Mbappé against the young gun Lamine Yamal. These two powerhouses are about to throw down in Dallas, and it's going to be epic.
Mbappé is Chasing History, But Spain Has His Number, Kinda
Kylian Mbappé has been straight-up electric this tournament. We're talking eight goals, finding the net in every single knockout match, leading France's devastating counterattack like a freight train. Dude's got 20 career World Cup goals, just shy of Lionel Messi's all-time record, chasing history and a second World Cup title. France has looked like the much better squad overall, absolutely racking up 16 goals and 14 assists. But here's the wild part, the one everyone keeps forgetting: Spain has actually beaten France in their last two competitive meetings! They took them down 2-1 in the 2024 Euros semifinals and pulled off a wild 5-4 win in the Nations League semifinals. That was over a year ago, sure, but it proves Spain knows how to get it done on the big stage.Yamal Needs to Wake Up Against a Brutal French Attack
Spain's game is all about that elite midfield, with Pedri and Rodri controlling everything. Their possession-based style just suffocates opponents, keeping them pinned back, and it's worked, letting in only one goal through six games this tournament. That defense is absolutely legit, no doubt. The offense, though? It's been a little stagnant, let's be real. Super-sub Mikel Merino has literally bailed them out in the 90'+1 and 88' minutes in their last two wins. Lamine Yamal, the teenage phenom, has only one measly goal through six matches. He needs to find that old form, and fast, especially against a French team that will punish every single turnover with extreme prejudice. France's 16 goals and 14 assists compared to Spain's 11 goals and eight assists tells you everything about who's been more clinical in front of net.How to Catch the Action and Get in On It
France has a 58% chance to advance, according to the numbers, but Spain's 43% means this is going to be incredibly tight and anything can happen. You can even get in on the action with a $10 bonus using the Kalshi promo code FOXSPORTS to trade on this absolute showdown. New users just create an account using your email and basic details, enter FOXSPORTS during signup, complete identity verification, then deposit and trade at least $10 in event contracts to grab your bonus trading credit. This epic semifinal goes down Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET from Dallas Stadium. Catch it live on FOX or stream it with a three day free trial on FOX One, FOX Sports. Who's making the World Cup final? It's all on the line!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.