World Cup Semi-Finals Preview: France vs Spain, England vs Argentina

The World Cup continues to deliver drama and unforgettable moments, and the field is now down to just four nations as we head into the semi-finals.

France, Spain, England and Argentina are now two wins away from the world title and with a place in the final at stake, the margin for error is now almost non-existent.

So what can we look forward to in the last-four ties? This is your guide to the World Cup semi-finals.

France v Spain, Dallas Stadium, Tuesday 20:00 BST

What to watch out for: With two of Europe's strongest squads going up against each other, this fixture has all the ingredients for becoming a World Cup classic.

Kylian Mbappe dominated the headlines again as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the semi-finals, taking his tally to eight goals for the tournament and moving just one behind Lionel Messi in the race to become the World Cup's all-time top scorer.

But France's biggest strength is their quality across the pitch, with Ousmane Dembele sealing the quarter-final victory and taking his own tally to five goals.

Michael Olise has provided the creative spark for Didier Deschamps' side and leads the competition with five assists.

That depth could prove vital for the two-time winners against a Spain side, who beat them 2-1 in the semi-finals on their way to winning the Euros in 2024.

There is a sense that Spain's best football is yet to come.

Their star attraction Lamine Yamal is yet to truly announce himself at the World Cup. The Barcelona winger has scored only once - against Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

Four-goal Mikel Oyarzabal has blanked in the past two matches, so Luis de la Fuente's side have needed late intervention from substitute Mikel Merino to edge past both Portugal and Belgium in the knockout rounds.

Looking to add to their 2010 triumph, Spain would hope Yamal, who will turn 19 on the eve of the tie, picks the semi-final to deliver a performance that justifies his talent.

Key stats: France will be playing in their eighth World Cup semi-final, equalling Brazil, with only Germany (12) featuring in more.

Spain are on the longest unbeaten run in their history and have now avoided defeat in each of their past 36 matches since a 1-0 loss to Colombia in March 2024. They have won 27 and drawn nine of their matches during that period.

This will be just the second World Cup meeting between the sides. Les Blues came from behind to win 3-1 when they met in the last 16 in 2006.

How to follow: Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

England v Argentina, Atlanta Stadium, Wednesday 20:00 BST

What to watch out for: This will be England's second World Cup semi-final since 2018, but defending champions Argentina stand in the Three Lions' way of a first appearance in the final in 60 years.

It's a fixture fraught with passion and rivalry - falling 40 years after Diego Maradona almost single-handedly dumped England out in the quarter-final stage in Mexico.

This time, Argentina have another superstar number 10 in their ranks. Lionel Messi has never faced England, and what bigger stage to do so for the first time than in a World Cup semi-final.

Messi, who became the World Cup's all-time top goalscorer this tournament, currently leads the Golden Boot race alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, with both on eight goals.

But England have their own iconic 10 in Jude Bellingham, who has scored twice in each of their past two knockout games - the first player to achieve such a feat since Maradona in 1986 - while captain Harry Kane is level with his team-mate on six goals so far this summer.

Neither nation have really been at their free-flowing peak so far this World Cup, battling and scrapping to victories in the knockout stages to reach this point.

It would not be a surprise to see Wednesday's meeting also reduced to a battle of passionate wills, even if Thomas Tuchel has demanded his side show more quality than they did in the quarter-final win over Norway.

Key stats: England have reached the semi-finals in four major tournaments since 2018 - as many as they reached in their history prior to the 2018 World Cup.

The Three Lions have won four consecutive World Cup games, their longest winning run within a single edition since 1966.

Tuchel is only the second England manager to go unbeaten in his first six World Cup games in charge - the previous was Alf Ramsey in 1966, who had the exact same record after six matches (won five, drawn one).

Argentina have reached the World Cup last four for the third time in the past four editions - 2014, 2022, 2026. Prior to 2014, they hadn't reached the semi-final since 1990.

How to follow: Watch on BBC One and iPlayer, listen to full Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.