The football world is anticipating a major showdown between France and Spain in the World Cup semi-finals in Dallas, with a place in the final at stake. France, the 2018 champions, are aiming for a third successive final, while 2010 winners Spain are bidding to become just the fourth team to hold both the world and European crowns simultaneously. All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe and teenage star Lamine Yamal, with the latter looking to replicate Mbappe's 2018 breakthrough on the biggest stage after a quiet debut World Cup. Mbappe is widely considered the best player in the world, having scored 42 goals for Real Madrid last season and leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals in six games at this World Cup. Despite his individual success, he is yet to win a major trophy with Real Madrid and came into the tournament with something to prove after back-to-back trophyless seasons. French football journalist Luke Entwistle notes that Mbappe has put defensive work into action, helping France win the ball back high, which would not have been possible otherwise. Mbappe is obsessed with equalling Pele's record of three World Cup triumphs and has carried France through three successive World Cups as the pivotal player. However, the perception in France and abroad is that he can be detrimental to the collective, though he has worked to change that narrative. The match represents a clash between France's fearsome attack and Spain's need to play the perfect game to stop them.
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