“It’s not an exaggeration to call this match the final before the final.” Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente didn’t mince his words after his team’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium. “The clear favorite? Spain. I have no doubt about that,” echoed Didier Deschamps ahead of the tournament.

Both teams arrived at this stage with one goal in mind: to secure a place in the final on Sunday against the winner of England vs Argentina. After meeting in the semifinals of Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League, the World Cup semifinal between these two powerhouses promises to be even more intense.

Why this match is more than just another semifinal

France and Spain boast the tournament’s stingiest defenses, conceding just one and two goals respectively. The Spanish have been particularly impressive, keeping five consecutive clean sheets. Neither Argentina nor England, the other two semifinalists, can match that record—both have conceded six goals and managed only two clean sheets each. But defensive solidity isn’t all these teams bring to the table.

“This could very well be a spectacular match.”

Didier Deschamps

Their attacking prowess is equally formidable. According to FIFA statistics, France and Spain have combined for 110 shots on goal—only Belgium (112) has been more aggressive. Argentina and England lag far behind with 98 and 94 attempts respectively. While efficiency hasn’t always been their strong suit—Spain has scored just 11 goals (the fewest among semifinalists) compared to France’s 16—their creative firepower is undeniable.

With Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise orchestrating play from midfield, both teams possess world-class playmakers. Yamal, despite scoring just once, continues to torment defenders with his dribbling, creating space for teammates like Oyarzabal (4 goals), Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Nico Williams. On the French side, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, and Manu Koné have all made decisive contributions from the bench, adding depth and unpredictability to Deschamps’ squad.

The bench can swing the game

Spain’s Mikel Merino embodies this depth perfectly. The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench to score the winning goal against Portugal in extra time during the Round of 16, then repeated the feat against Belgium in the quarterfinals—both goals in stoppage time. With Rodri pulling the strings (629 passes, the most in the tournament), Spain’s midfield is a well-oiled machine where every player can seamlessly slot into any role.

France’s bench has been equally impactful. Barcola, introduced against Senegal in the group stage, scored within two minutes to spark a nervous French side. Doué, who came on late against Paraguay to win a penalty, has terrorized defenses alongside Koné, Malo Gusto, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Rayan Cherki—each bringing a different dimension to the attack.

A rivalry fueled by recent dominance

Spain’s resurgence over the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable. After a period of decline following their golden generation (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012), La Roja reclaimed their throne with back-to-back titles: Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League—both victories came at France’s expense in the semifinals.

Their 2-1 win over France at Euro 2024 was convincing, but their 5-4 comeback against the same opponents in the Nations League semifinal was even more dramatic. Trailing 5-1 with just 25 minutes left, Spain mounted an improbable recovery to force extra time before ultimately prevailing.

“We know their strength,” admitted Luis de la Fuente. “But we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semifinals. If anyone should be feared, it’s us. We eliminated them last time, and we’re not afraid.”

Lamine Yamal echoed that confidence, stating, “We’re not scared of anyone. We’ll see what happens, but we’re ready.” France’s Ibrahima Konaté responded firmly: “Talk is cheap. We need humility and focus—not traps.” History shows that overconfidence can backfire; Spain’s last such declaration ended in a 3-1 defeat to Zidane’s France in the 2006 World Cup Round of 16. With eight Barcelona players in Spain’s 26-man squad, the French will have their eyes on Madrid’s Mbappé and Tchouameni, who may feel extra motivation to silence their rivals.