France Vs Spain Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Finals: Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal battle for place in World Cup final

France looked the most complete side of the tournament. Didier Deschamps’ men scored freely while remaining solid in defence, progressing to the knockout stages without conceding a goal. Kylian Mbappé continues to lead the attack with eight goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot and moving within one goal of Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 21. Deschamps will also reach another milestone by overseeing his 26th World Cup match as coach of France.

Spain matched France’s move. After a slow start with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente’s team built momentum with wins over Austria, Portugal and Belgium. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal took the spotlight despite admitting it was the biggest game of his career, while Mikel Merino became Spain’s unlikely knockout hero with late winning goals in successive matches.

Before the competition, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot rejected suggestions of a special tactical plan to stop Yamal, insisting that France should focus on the collective strength of Spain’s attack rather than an individual. Spain, on the other hand, remains full of confidence after defeating France in the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League.

The match also brings together two former world champions with different ambitions. Spain are aiming for their first World Cup final since their victory in 2010, while France hopes to become only the third country after Brazil and Germany to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

Featuring Mbappé, Yamal, Antoine Griezmann, Pedri, Rodri and many other stars, the semi-final promises elite football, exciting tactical battles and high stakes as a European giant moves one step closer to World Cup glory.