Spain reaches World Cup final after victory over France; England and Argentina prepare for semi-final clash

By Arjun Sharma — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Spain’s Path to the Final

Spain has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final following a 2-0 victory against France in the semi-finals. This win also marked a significant milestone for teenage player Lamine Yamal. All 12 of Yamal’s starts across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship have resulted in victories for Spain, giving him a perfect winning record when included in the starting lineup for these major international tournaments. This achievement is notable as no other European player has maintained such an unblemished record across as many starts in these competitions.

Yamal’s influence on the team has been evident, particularly from the right flank, where his movement, ability to retain the ball, and creative play have been central to Luis de la Fuente’s attacking strategy. His performances during UEFA Euro 2024, where Spain won all seven matches, helped establish him as a prominent player. During that campaign, he started six matches, contributing one goal and four assists. A defining moment came in the semi-final against France, where his long-range strike helped Spain level the score before completing a comeback. He also played a role in creating the opening goal in Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the final.

Despite recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in April that affected his preparations for the 2026 World Cup, Yamal has started all six of Spain’s World Cup matches. His only goal in the tournament came against Saudi Arabia in a 4-0 win, making him the youngest player to score the opening goal in a World Cup match since Pelé in 1958, and Spain’s second-youngest World Cup goalscorer, behind Gavi. Opposing teams have often committed multiple defenders to contain him, which, while limiting his direct goal contributions, has created space for teammates like Dani Olmo, Pedro Porro, and Mikel Oyarzabal to exploit.

In the semi-final against France, Yamal’s run into the penalty area led to a foul by Lucas Digne, resulting in a penalty converted by Mikel Oyarzabal. Pedro Porro later sealed the 2-0 victory. Across his 12 starts in the World Cup and European Championship, Yamal has contributed two goals and four assists. Spain’s recent victory also extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches, equalling Italy’s European record, and made them the first European nation to win eight consecutive knockout matches across both the World Cup and European Championship.

England and Argentina Rivalry

Meanwhile, England and Argentina are preparing for their semi-final match. The rivalry between these two nations is considered one of football’s most significant. The two countries have not competed against each other in a competitive match since 2002. Despite the historical context, Argentinian football’s influence on English football has remained relatively modest, with players like Ossie Ardiles and Sergio Agüero having played in England, but not figures such as Gabriel Batistuta or Juan Román Riquelme.

The upcoming semi-final is seen as more than just a game, particularly for Argentinians, where the memory of past conflicts persists and has been passed down through generations of players and coaches. Diego Maradona remains a central figure in Argentina’s football culture, even after his death in 2020. Both nations share a similar cultural aspect where football holds significant importance in their national identity.

On the field, both teams are considered well-matched, characterized by collections of talented players who have achieved success through individual brilliance and emotional comebacks. The match in Atlanta is anticipated to be an intense encounter, with both teams having shown resilience in their previous games. Argentina, in particular, has several players known for their confrontational style of play. The match is expected to feature high stakes, potentially involving VAR decisions or moments of intense competition, such as a 50/50 challenge with Cristian Romero or a penalty shootout involving Emi Martínez.

As Spain prepares for the World Cup final, Yamal will be aiming to win the trophy and maintain his record of 12 victories from 12 starts in major international tournaments.

Source: theguardian.com

Arjun Sharma

Sports Reporter