ARLINGTON, Texas — A Moment of Reflection

It seems like the football universe owes us a bit of a nod.

People might be surprised to hear that the match we’re most excited about isn’t the World Cup final.

Instead, take a look at Tuesday’s semifinal showdown in Dallas, where the reigning European champions, Spain, will take on a formidable French team that has been on fire throughout the tournament.

For many fans, the real final is this clash between Spain and France.

Sure, the winner will eventually face either Argentina or England, but let’s be honest—this feels like a battle between the two best teams in the competition.

Both teams have showcased their prowess, vividly reflecting their status as tournament favorites.

Spain heads into the semifinals with an impressive unbeaten streak of 36 games, just one win away from equaling Italy’s historical record.

Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, they’ve allowed a mere single goal throughout the tournament, dominating possession in every match.

It’s like La Roja has this vice-like grip on their opponents, orchestrated by midfielders Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Pedri (or perhaps Fabian Ruiz).

They also boast one of the most effective substitutes in the tournament. Mikel Merino has made World Cup history by coming off the bench to score the winning goal in back-to-back knockout matches.

But let’s not overlook France—they’re equally intimidating.

Managed by Didier Deschamps, they’ve netted 16 goals over six matches and have won five of those by a margin of two points or more.

This marks the third consecutive year that Les Bleus have reached the World Cup semifinals, and a victory here would solidify their status as an unparalleled international powerhouse.

With Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Oliseh leading the charge, their attack is nothing short of a force.

What makes this match so intriguing is how contrasting their styles are.

Spain seeks to control the ball, while France often waits for the right moment to strike.

“We need to impose our game,” Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente stated. “Our style is very different. We must be wary of their counterattacks; their transitions are quite devastating.”

Spain will likely try to orchestrate a rhythm with their midfield arrangement, supported by full-backs Pedro Polo and Marc Cucurella, while French forwards anticipate long stretches of defense.

France seems poised to play it cool, looking to capitalize on any misstep by unleashing their speedsters into the gaps left by the Spanish full-backs.

It’s like a high-speed chess match.

“If France fears anyone, it’s us,” claimed 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal after Spain’s victory over Belgium in the quarters. “We’ve beaten them before—twice. Honestly, I think we’re the two best teams in the World Cup. We’ll see what happens; we’re not scared.”

He might be on to something. Spain has triumphed over France in their previous two encounters, including a memorable Euro 2024 semifinal and a thrilling 5-4 showdown in last year’s Nations League.

“We’re a different team now. A lot has changed,” said France midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. “I’m ready—I want to win and get revenge for the Euros. Tomorrow, I’ll show what we’re made of.”

How his midfield partners perform may ultimately determine if his words ring true.

“It’s going to be a beautiful match between the two best teams in the world,” said Spanish midfielder Alex Baena. “We’ve faced them many times and have been victorious. We’d love to do that again.”

Easier said than done.

“We know we’re at our best when our top offensive players have the ball,” he continued. “We aim to keep possession and minimize turnovers, avoiding giving our opponents an edge.”

Spain comes into the match with slightly less rest, but they won’t let that be an excuse.

“We understood what we were signing up for before the World Cup,” Baena remarked. “As the tournament goes on, fatigue may set in, but that’s no excuse.”

The oddsmakers still see these teams as closely matched, with France slightly favored.

Ultimately, the victor will have a stronger chance in the final against either England or Argentina.

In soccer, anything can happen. A single goal or a momentary error can tip the scales.

Argentina still has Messi in their corner.

England brings Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to the fight.

But unless something unexpected occurs, it’s likely that the future World Cup champions will be draped in blue or red by the end of Tuesday.