What we're watching
• First semifinal match: It’s 1-0 in halftime after Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty kick put Spain in the lead. French centerback William Saliba had been substituted on the field after what looked like a back injury.
• Clash of the heavyweights: Kylian Mbappé looks to take World No. 1 Les Bleus to their third consecutive World Cup final. World No. 3 La Roja, with their superstar teenager Lamine Yamal, search for their second-ever final berth, their first since 2010.
• Second semifinal tomorrow: Defending champion Argentina will play England at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday to set up the remaining half of the championship match.
Sign up for The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily World Cup newsletter.
Mbappé, France can't get a foothold in the game
It’s not often you say this about France but they’ve been outsmarted, outfought and outclassed in all departments so far by this Spanish team.
The influential Michael Olise has barely gotten a touch of the ball while Kylian Mbappé has only flickered in moments.
To illustrate this the captain has been caught offside more times (twice) than he has had touches in the opposition box so far today (one).
The saving grace for Didier Deschamps’ team is it only finds itself 1-0 down at halftime and surely its performance can’t get any worse in the second half?
You have to think France’s coach will turn to his bench to shake things up, especially in midfield.
Adrien Rabiot is walking a tightrope as he’s on a yellow card while Aurelien Tchouaméni clearly doesn’t look 100% fit.
Les Bleus haven’t lost a World Cup semifinal since 1986 but they’re going to have to step up if they’re going to keep that record intact.
Spain imposing its style on Les Bleus
The half comes to a close and Spain holds a 1-0 lead over France in this battle of two European heavyweights.
While the back end of the second half has been one of slightly more French urgency, La Roja has looked largely comfortable the entirety of the first 45 minutes – France doesn’t even have a shot on target yet – and Spain’s possession and the scoreline look to be weighing a bit on Les Bleus.
The first half has been a prime example against an argument I’ve heard a lot of during the tournament from a lot of American fans that if the best US athletes focused solely on the Beautiful Game, they would win the World Cup within a few years. Well, tell that to France.
Les Bleus have way better athletes and physical attributes than Spain and a load of smaller, technical players are beating them to the punch a lot using positioning and smart movement. Additionally, the Iberians are very solid defensively so far, staying focused and resolute in front of this France offensive juggernaut.
Still, there are A LOT of minutes left in this, so anything can happen, but Luis de la Fuente must be pleased his plan is going well so far.
Halftime: Spain 1, France 0
And that’s the end of the first 45 minutes – just the one goal in it so far.
Plenty for France to do and plenty of drama still left in this one.
A Bastille Day bummer so far for the French
We were expecting some fireworks from France on Bastille Day, but so far it’s a bit of a damp squib from Les Bleus.
This matchup was deserving of the hype, but such games often be cursed by the narrative.
I didn’t think we could possibly be wrong about this one, but France really need to find a spark to get themselves back into this game and to keep us all on the edge of our seats.
France's attacking corps needs to ignite
For all the attacking talent France has to offer you have to say the quartet of Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise and Barcola has so far flattered to deceive.
They’ve been passive in their movement and have failed to click into gear against a resolute Spanish defense.
Just before Spain’s penalty we saw a brief glimpse of what attacking threat they could pose.
Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé looked to have released Kylian Mbappé through on goal but it took three Spanish defenders to halt him in his tracks and ultimately clear away.
Ahead of the game, former France defender Mikaël Silvestre told CNN about the need for France to make runs in behind Spain’s defense to unleash the offensive quality that Deschamps has at his disposal.
France is going to have step it up a gear or two as it goes in search of an equalizer before halftime.
Spain aggressive all over the pitch
This has been a brilliant half for Spain, who must be waiting for France to wake up.
Since going ahead, La Roja hasn’t dropped back to defend its lead and has instead continued pressing high up the pitch. The players just look faster, stronger and sharper than the French, who can’t get into any sort of rhythm.
Spanish defender Marc Cucurella just picked up a yellow card for getting stuck into Michael Olise but he’ll probably take that if it means his opponent keeps struggling to get into the game.
Spain almost grabbed a second goal as well after some brilliant attacking play, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot was well blocked by the French defender.
A real test for France
France are behind for the first time in this tournament, against a team that’s only conceded once in six games.
Les Bleus have only managed two attempts so far, I guess we’re about to find out how good their swaggering strikeforce of Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise really is!
Saliba injury another setback for France
It’s a double whammy of bad news for France.
First, Didier Deschamps’ side fall behind in this tournament for the very first time.
Now, influential centerback William Saliba has had to depart the field with what looks to be a back injury.
A huge blow for Les Bleus and the Arsenal’s defender is replaced by Maxence Lacroix.
Atmosphere not matching the high-profile matchup so far
For all that this is a box-office clash between the two most exciting teams in the tournament, the atmosphere so far inside the stadium is yet to match it.
With a caveat that I’m sitting behind a window in the press box, the volume seems muted and it is no comparison to the cacophony I’ve experienced at earlier games featuring England, Cape Verde, Haiti, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Perhaps the stadium cameras identified a clue before kickoff: “This seat has been sponsored by my college fund” read a handwritten sign.
Outside, I got the sense that many of the fans were here for the vibes instead of their country. When I asked one fan for his player of the tournament, he couldn’t name anyone. A lot of supporters here are wearing France and Spain shirts, but a quick conversation revealed that’s not where they’re from.
Prettyyyy, prettyyy, prettyyyy, pretty good for Spain
The first “quarter” of the match has come to a close with the hydration break and the match is largely a repeat of many of Spain’s matches to date: Owning a lot of the possession (56.7%) but no real threat to the opponent’s goal.
Unfortunately for France, that also included one very unlucky foul by Lucas Digne on Spain superstar Lamine Yamal in the box, leading to a penalty and the subsequent goal by Mikel Oyarzabal.
As a Spain fan, this is going very well. The team has a very effective defense by keeping the ball as much as possible and the possession has the double effect of wearing down the French into possibly making a mistake on the offensive end – the proverbial “the best defense is a good offense.”
Still, France has had a couple of slightly promising moments, so you would think that things aren’t going too bad for Les Bleus – well, other than the goal. This is an incredibly interesting tactical battle between two different systems and styles. Watch out for French mistakes on the defensive end and any quick counters which could be the way for the two-time world champions.
I am a very happy man right now. And the game is back underway.
A pause for the first hydration break
The first hydration break of the semifinal is here. As expected, this one has been a battle so far.
Early on, both teams were throwing jabs as they each tried to find an opening to start the scoring. The defenses stayed sharp until French defender Lucas Digne accidentally fouled Lamine Yamal in the box and gave Spain a penalty.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal took advantage and put La Roja up 1-0 in the 22nd minute.
Goal! Spain 1-0 France
Mikel Oyarzabal makes no mistake from the spotkick.
The striker strolled up before smashing his effort into the corner of the net. The goalkeeper guessed the right way but couldn’t get close.
That is Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of the tournament.
Penalty to Spain!
Lamine Yamal is taken out in the box. Penalty to La Roja.
France defender Lucas Digne wasn’t looking as he tried to clear the ball and accidentally kicked the onrushing teenager.
Barcola fires early warning shot at Porro
Bradley Barcola would’ve been heartened by the torrid time Belgium’s Jérémy Doku gave Spain’s Pedro Porro in the quarterfinal and the PSG winger hasn’t wasted time in getting at the right back.
An early burst forced the first corner of the game that ultimately came to nothing. Nonetheless, a warning shot has been fired in Porro’s direction.
It’s not just offensively that Barcola will need to excel, defensively he’ll have to work with his soon-to-be teammate Lucas Digne to prevent Lamine Yamal the time and space the Spaniard so craves to work his wonders on the right wing.
Spain looks to get control early in this game
No team has averaged more possession over the course of this year’s World Cup than Spain and it looks like today will be no different in terms of control.
It’s the Spanish who have enjoyed most of the ball early doors, opting to play the safer pass rather than flood forward in these opening 10 minutes.
France is not exactly sitting back deep but it seems content on letting Spain have the ball in its own half. Already, though, Les Bleus have stolen the ball a couple times and started to look dangerous on the counterattack.
This game has been more of a chess match than anything else so far.
Tchouaméni brought in to thwart Spanish midfield
Spain has built its run to the last four around its ability to dominate the ball, press opponents deep into their own half and control the rhythm of matches.
It’s no surprise therefore that Didier Deschamps has called upon the services of Aurelien Tchouaméni to disrupt that flow.
The Real Madrid star missed the 1-0 win in the last 16 against Paraguay and the 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco with a hamstring problem.
Although not fully fit, the 26-year-old’s athleticism and dynamism is midfield will be key in a game that could ultimately be won by the team that triumphs in the centre of the park.
Tchouameni’s presence will not only give France a natural holding midfielder capable of protecting the defence but added experience alongside Adrien Rabiot as the duo look to help the team play through Spain’s pressure.
Plenty of power on display in this semifinal
The hype is off the charts for this match, “the final before the final” as described by Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente.
The tournament’s best attack versus the best midfield, the seemingly unstoppable France against the apparently impenetrable Spain.
As if there was any doubt, the stadium announcers have shared the latest FIFA power rankings, which are packed full of players who will be starring today.
Kylian Mbappé tops the attacking list, with Ousmane Dembélé at six. Their teammate Michael Olisé tops the creativity list, with Mbappe fourth and Dembélé 10th. Lamine Yamal is fifth on that list, but the challenge for both teams is laid bare in the defensive top 10.
Spain, who’ve only conceded one goal to this point, have the top two in Rodri and Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte at four and Pau Cabarsi at nine.
Famously, Spain have only conceded one goal all tournament, but France have only shipped two, and none in the knockout rounds, they have Dayot Upamecano (fifth) and Lucas Digne (sixth). It’s going to be a fascinating contest.
Kickoff has arrived!
With the opening build-up done, both the Spaniards and the Frenchmen look more than ready for play to begin.
Ninety minutes for a shot to compete for World Cup glory have kicked off.
Minute’s silence to be held before kickoff to commemorate victims of 2016 Nice attack
A minute’s silence will be observed before kickoff in today’s semifinal, in tribute to the victims of the Nice terror attack a decade ago today, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on social media.
The semifinal is being held on the 10th anniversary of the attack, which saw 86 people killed and more than 200 injured when a truck driver plowed into crowds on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the southern French city during a fireworks celebration on Bastille Day, France’s key national holiday.
The attack came after the country’s worst-ever peacetime assaults in and around Paris on November 13, 2015, which killed 130 people
In a post on X, Macron thanked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for “responding to the request of France and of all French people who have mobilized” before adding, “We will never forget.”
Spain and France on the field for anthems
Both teams have taken the pitch for their national anthems.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has been brought to life to the tune of “La Marseillaise” and “Marcha Real.”
