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Spain on top in recent meetingspublished at 19:12 BST
France v Spain (20:00 BST)
www.ghanareaders.comSpain have lost just two of their last 10 meetings with France in all competitions (won seven, drawn one), winning each of the last two (2-1 in the semi-final at Euro 2024, 5-4 in the Nations League in June 2025).
Anyone fancy a 5-4 either way tonight? Let’s hope so. What a night it would be.
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‘Yamal is the man’published at 19:10 BST
Phil Kitromilides
Spanish football expert and commentator on BBC Radio 5 LiveReal Madrid and Barcelona absolutely dominate everything here in this country when it comes to football.
It is difficult for a certain faction of Real Madrid support to get behind this Spain team because it is led by Barcelona players.
For younger supporters, Lamine Yamal is the man. Yamal is on the back of nearly every Spain T-shirt here. He is an icon here.
For the older fans, not so much. The bling bling and swagger that annoys a faction of Spanish society.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGESThis has been a tournament where the big names have stepped up with Argentina great Lionel Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappe, England’s Harry Kane and Erling Haaland of Norway all playing leading roles for their respective teams.
However Spain and Barcelona’s teenage star – Lamine Yamal – is yet to truly light up the stage to the extent he did during the national team’s successful Euro 2024 campaign.
While the other names are battling it out for the Golden Boot, Lamine Yamal has played six games at this World Cup and scored just one goal.
At times at the tournament he has made the wrong decision, opting to shoot when a pass would have been better, but that is not to say he is not contributing as his dribbling ability and pace helps to make space for players like Merino.
“You’ll have Lionel Messi making the wrong decisions at times,” said former England captain Wayne Rooney on BBC TV.
“Let’s remember he came into this tournament injured, so he is still finding his rhythm in the game. Where he is effective is when he takes the ball, he attracts players towards him, and he creates space for his team-mates.”
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De La Fuente aims to extend unbeaten runpublished at 19:06 BST
Spain’s Luis de la Fuente has now managed more games across the World Cup and European Championship without ever losing than any other manager (13 – won 12, drawn one).
Former England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
Spain have been very stingy at this World Cup, but then you have the French frontline, which have been incredible. Spain, throughout the World Cup, have been the best football team, they have played the best stuff, and they have a balance to their team.
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‘Momentous’ occasion for Spainpublished at 19:02 BST
France v Spain (20:00 BST)
Phil Kitromilides
Spanish football expert and commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGESI have seen a lot of Spain national T-shirts around [in Madrid]. That might not seem remarkable, but let me tell you, this is a country that has a slightly complex relationship with the national team for various historical, regional and socio-political reasons.
Not everybody gets behind the national team, but it feels like a lot of people have. Even begrudgingly Real Madrid fans who have seen there are no Madrid players, apart from Marc Cucurella, and it is dominated by Barcelona players.
There are big screams all over squares across the country and there’s a real feeling that this is something special and something to be proud of. Spain have only once been in a semi-final, and that was 2010, so it is momentous.
