World Cup Semi-Finals Set As Football Giants Battle

ISLAMABAD: (Sports Desk) – A month after the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup began, the tournament has reached its decisive semi-final stage, with football’s biggest nations preparing for two blockbuster clashes.

France and Spain will meet on Tuesday, while defending champions Argentina will renew their historic rivalry with England on Wednesday as all four teams compete for a place in the final.

Argentina secured the final semi-final spot after defeating Switzerland in a dramatic extra-time quarter-final in Kansas City. Despite Switzerland being reduced to 10 players, the European side pushed Argentina hard after Dan Ndoye cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal. However, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez found the net in extra time to seal Argentina’s victory.

The South American champions are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. They will now travel to Atlanta to face an England side inspired by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

England booked their place in the last four after Bellingham scored twice in a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami. However, coach Thomas Tuchel admitted his team must improve despite reaching the semi-finals.

“The result is fantastic, but we were not happy with the performance,” Tuchel said, acknowledging that England were fortunate to progress.

The upcoming Argentina-England showdown will mark only the fourth time England have reached a World Cup semi-final, following appearances in 1966, 1990, and 2018. Argentina, meanwhile, have won all six of their previous semi-final encounters.

The match carries additional historical significance as it comes 40 years after Argentina’s famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England in Mexico. Diego Maradona scored twice in that match, including the legendary “Hand of God” goal and a remarkable solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.

For Lionel Messi, the encounter will represent his 206th international appearance and his first-ever match against England. The fixture will also take place amid the long-running political dispute between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni insisted the focus would remain on football, saying the contest was a sporting event between two strong teams.

The winner of the Argentina-England semi-final will advance to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium near New York, where they will face either France or Spain.

France vs Spain: Yamal Faces Mbappe Challenge

France and Spain will meet in Arlington, Texas, in a repeat of their Euro 2024 semi-final, where Spain won 2-1 before going on to claim the European title.

Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal will once again be central to his team’s hopes. The Barcelona forward, who will turn 19 during the tournament period, has struggled to make his usual impact after arriving with an injury concern and has scored just once in six matches.

Spain captain Rodri said Yamal must remain calm and manage the pressure of expectations surrounding him.

France, meanwhile, continue to rely on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has scored eight goals at the tournament, including one in the quarter-final victory over Morocco, and remains among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.

Mbappe is level with Messi in the scoring race and is just one goal behind the Argentine’s all-time World Cup record of 21 goals.

Off the pitch, former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faced criticism after claiming France’s national team lacked French players. Spain’s current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the remark as xenophobic, while French officials also condemned the comments.