Two of Europe's heavyweights clash on Tuesday for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
France arrive in the last four, chasing a third World Cup crown, with arguably the tournament's most feared attacking weapon leading the line.
Spain, meanwhile, are seeking a second world title and have once again underlined their status as international football's great production line, blending established stars with a new generation headed by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The semi-final at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, also offers a fascinating contrast in styles.
France have relied on Mbappe's ruthless finishing and big-game pedigree to navigate the knockout rounds, while Spain's possession-based approach has been built on collective quality rather than individual brilliance.
Yet with a place in Sunday's final at stake, both sides know that moments of inspiration from their star men could prove decisive.
Mbappe a man on a mission
France v Spain pits two of the world's best against each other – Kylian Mbappe against Yamal.
Mbappe scored his eighth goal of these finals in France's 2-0 victory over Morocco to reach the semi-finals.
It moved him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot and also one behind the Argentina great on the list of the all-time World Cup top scorers on 20.
Mbappe reached that milestone in just 20 matches. His goal against Morocco – a peach from just outside the area – was his 13th goal in the knockout stages across three tournaments, a record.
What was more impressive was the way Mbappe overcame a first-half penalty miss.
"It was tough today with the penalty, all the chances we didn’t take,” French coach Didier Deschamps said after the Morocco match.
"But when it’s Kylian, there’s no problem; he never hesitates – even though he’d already missed a chance. Many people say that Kylian is a dictator, that he only thinks of himself. But he’s the captain and he’s exemplary.”
The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker comes alive on the global stage. He has already equalled his tally from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored a hat-trick in the final, though Les Bleus ultimately lost on penalties.
A World Cup winner in 2018, a runner-up in 2022, Mbappe was handed the captaincy by Deschamps ahead of more experienced players, a role he has fully embraced.
“I’ve been world champion and I’ve been runner-up, and this team is neither one nor the other,” Mbappe said at the Boston Stadium after the win over Morocco.
“As it stands, it’s not the best team I’ve played in, but it might be the one with the most potential, the one with which we can look to the future more easily. This is a team that we can dream with, although the best teams are those who win.”
Yamal yet to hit top form
Yamal, by contrast, has had a quiet tournament thus far, but remains Spain's star attraction.
Yamal had a breakout tournament at Euro 2024, helping Spain win a fourth continental title while still a precocious teenager studying for his high school exams.
The Barcelona winger, who will turn 19 on Saturday, is yet to truly announce himself at these finals, with just a goal against Saudi Arabia in the group stage to show for his efforts.
Injury ruled him out of Barca's title run-in, and there have certainly been signs that Yamal has not fully shaken off the effects of that hamstring injury.
"If you see the motivation Lamine has, he is very dangerous for opponents, but we need to calm him down so that motivation doesn't turn into anxiety," coach Luis de la Fuente said before Spain's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium.
"The best is yet to come, because he hasn't yet reached the level of brilliance we expect."
Following that win over Belgium, Yamal fired an early shot, saying Les Blues should fear Spain after La Roja eliminated them on their way to their triumph at Euro 2024.
"If anyone should be afraid, it should be [France] – we knocked them out of the Euros," Yamal told TV Espana.
"Obviously, we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We'll see what happens, but we have no fear."
Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures
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US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters -
Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters -
England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP -
French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP -
England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP -
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP -
Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA -
Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters -
Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP -
France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP -
Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP -
Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP -
Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP -
France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA -
Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters -
Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP -
Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP -
Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters -
Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters -
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters -
Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP -
Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP
History
This will be France's eighth World Cup semi-final match, moving them level with Brazil. Germany hold the record with 12 last-four appearances.
Les Bleus have played in four World Cup finals, including the past two. France won the title on home soil in 1998 and again at Russia 2018.
Spain are on the longest unbeaten run in their history. Their 36-game run includes 27 victories and nine draws since they last tasted defeat to Colombia in March 2024.
Spain have reached the final only once, winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
This will be just the second World Cup meeting between the sides. France came from behind to win 3-1 when they met in the last 16 in 2006.
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