The World Cup semifinals arrive for Spain, which will face France, its great rival of recent years, to try to reach the grand final.

The Spanish national football team has today, Tuesday, July 14, a date with history. After winning matches and passing rounds, Spain has reached a World Cup semi-final for the second time in its history, with the 2010 World Cup being the last time it got this far in this competition. Furthermore, it gains even more importance, as Spain's rival will be France.

The Spaniards arrive in a very high state of mind, due to having won their last two matches in the final moments of the game, which is a great motivation for the team. However, it is true that perhaps the French team is playing better football and feeling more comfortable with their game than the Spaniards, and therefore they start slightly as favorites in this European semi-final duel.

Despite Spain arriving with more doubts to this duel, it must be remembered that in the last matches in which both teams have faced each other in recent years, the Spanish national team has won more matches. The most important and recent, of course, were the semi-finals of the Euro 2024, which Spain would later win, and other Nations League semi-finals. These results show us that in recent years, Spain has France's number, especially in semi-finals. However, this time the scenario is different; it is a World Cup semi-final, being the biggest possible stage in the world of football.

It must also be highlighted in favor of the French that they have reached World Cup semi-finals three tournaments in a row, making them a more experienced team in these instances. However, the Spanish national team has only conceded one goal in this tournament, and not only that, but Spain has gone 36 consecutive matches without defeat, just one match away from equaling Italy's historical record of 37 unbeaten matches, which makes them a very difficult team to defeat.

Regarding Spain's lineup, there are some doubts in some areas of the field and other certainties in other parts of the eleven. What is certain is that Luis de la Fuente will start with the usual goalkeeper (Unai Simón), and the same back four in defense with Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella, and Pedro Porro. The three attacking players also seem quite clear, being Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzábal, and there is a small doubt as to whether Álex Baena or Nico Williams will play, the latter having already played some minutes in the previous match. The big favorite, and most likely, is Baena, as he has been the starter in all previous rounds. The big doubt is in the midfield. Rodri is a fixture in the midfield and Dani Olmo also seems to be due to his starting position in recent matches. The remaining spot will be between Pedri, who had been a starter until the previous match, Fabián, who started and scored a goal, and Mikel Merino, being the Spanish hero scoring two late goals coming off the bench. All three are magnificent footballers, so this doubt is not a problem, because whoever plays will do well.

The danger of the French is clear, their attacking zone is lethal. With a Kylian Mbappé in great form with 8 goals, an Olise who is the top assist provider in the competition, and a Dembélé with 5 goals, they are the best attack in the tournament. In addition to these three, they still have great players on the bench, however, despite the great defenders they have, they have shown some defensive gaps, so this is where the game will be for Spain, if Lamine, Oyarzábal and company manage to generate a lot of attack, the game could be decided.

But well, in short, it is a totally even match, which will be decided by small details, and we hope that those details fall on the Spanish side, in order to qualify for another World Cup final 16 years later, and of course win it.