World Cup Semi-final: Spain Advances, England and Argentina Prepare for Showdown

By Ananya Iyer — 15 July 2026 — 4 min read

Spain has advanced to the final of the World Cup after a commanding performance against France. The Spanish side secured their place in the final following a semi-final victory on Tuesday. This achievement marks a significant moment for Spain, as they aim for their second world title, 16 years after their initial triumph.

Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s manager, expressed that his team has recaptured the spirit of their 2010 World Cup win. He highlighted the commitment, solidarity, and talent of his players, noting their ability to make difficult tasks appear easy. De la Fuente also mentioned a happy dressing room and a supportive nation behind the team.

The Spanish team successfully neutralised a French attack that had been considered one of the tournament’s most dangerous, having scored 16 goals prior to the semi-final. France, despite being pre-tournament favourites, did not register a shot on target until late in the match, missing the opportunity to reach a third consecutive final.

De la Fuente praised his squad, emphasising that its strength comes from humility, shared purpose, and a lack of individual egos. He stated that the team, including all its members, works towards a common goal with enthusiasm, prioritising the common good over individual interests. Spain has been on an unbeaten run.

Meanwhile, England is preparing to face Argentina in their World Cup semi-final match. Thomas Tuchel, England’s coach, has made three changes to the starting lineup from their previous game against Norway. These changes include both full-backs, with Reece James, Djed Spence, and Morgan Rogers coming in for Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, and Noni Madueke.

Argentina has also made one change to their squad from their victory over Switzerland, with Giuliano Simeone replacing Rodrigo De Paul in midfield. Simeone’s only previous tournament appearance was in a 3-1 win over Jordan. He is considered a more natural wide player than De Paul, which could lead Argentina to play a lopsided system with Mac Allister tucked in on the other side.

The upcoming semi-final between England and Argentina has drawn comments regarding historical rivalries, but Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s head coach, downplayed any non-footballing implications. He stated that it is simply a football match against a great team and a manager he admires. Rodrigo De Paul echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the historical significance but stressing that the focus is on the football match itself to reach the final.

England’s defenders will face a significant challenge in containing Lionel Messi. Messi is known for conserving energy during much of a game, only to spring into action when an opportunity arises. This unique style of play makes him particularly difficult to defend against, as he finds seemingly harmless pockets of space and then capitalises on them.

Tuchel’s tactical decisions for England’s semi-final are under scrutiny. The expected inclusion of Djed Spence and Reece James as full-backs would mean Tuchel has selected a different back four for each of England’s seven World Cup games. Morgan Rogers is also expected to start on the right wing for England, following his performance against Norway.

De la Fuente expressed a desire to face Argentina in the final due to his friendship with manager Lionel Scaloni. He also praised England and described their semi-final match as one that could easily be a World Cup final. The Spain manager believes that finals are meant to be enjoyed, and the upcoming match could be the culmination of their efforts.

Argentina’s team is described as one that thrives on moments, having navigated close calls in their knockout games by relying on individual brilliance. Messi provided crucial moments in the group stage, while Lautaro Martínez delivered an assist for Fernández’s winning goal in one match. Alvarez also scored a notable goal against Switzerland.

Scaloni and Messi share a long-standing connection, dating back to Messi’s international debut in 2005 when Scaloni provided two passes to him. Scaloni was also the first player to congratulate Messi after his goal against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 World Cup, when Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentina in the tournament.

The relationship between Messi and Scaloni has been described as having an almost paternal aspect, despite Scaloni being only nine years Messi’s senior. This connection has been a factor in Messi’s success on the international stage, culminating in Argentina’s potential to defend their World Cup title.

The France team, despite their semi-final exit, had been noted for their entertaining play throughout the tournament, particularly in matches against Senegal, Norway, and Sweden. However, their performance in the semi-final resulted in their worst World Cup finish since 2014.

Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, expressed that he would like to face Argentina in the final.

Source: theguardian.com