Beyond Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas lay a far more compelling story than the scoreline itself -- one of a tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente that Didier Deschamps never truly recognised, let alone countered.

A master at getting under the skin of elite attackers, Cucurella does not just mark opposing wingers; he physically and mentally derails them.

Footballing immortality had been within touching distance. On a sweltering afternoon in Dallas, it slipped away.

A second star has never been so within touching distance for La Furia Roja.

Imitating little Pedrito, Porro sat down on the pristine Dallas Stadium grass and raised his hand skyward.

The much-hyped France-Spain encounter, billed by many as the "final before the final", turned into a tactical exhibition rather than the edge-of-the-seat spectacle supporters had anticipated.

Burglars tried to break in to the Barcelona home of Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday, shortly after he helped La Roja reach their second World Cup final, police and media said.

Interestingly, almost everyone in my family supported Brazil, while my father also admired Germany and Italy. Even today, I cannot clearly explain why I chose Argentina. Perhaps it was Gabriel Batistuta

Friends and family have for a few years told Russian model Anastasia Kostromina that she looked like Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, but it was not until he became the World Cup's superstar that she decided to take that online.

For Messi and his squad, the lesson of 1990 is clear: when you are the champions, the world presents a treacherous road. Sometimes, they block the road entirely.

England coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed Tuesday that Declan Rice is fit to start in the World Cup semi-final against reigning champions Argentina.

Unlike Spain and France, who reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals by winning all six matches within regulation time, Argentina and England have endured a tougher route to the last four.

Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas on Tuesday, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime cast a long shadow over the 1934 and 1938 World Cups, while Argentina's military junta used the country's 1978 triumph as propaganda.

England have lost only two of their 14 meetings with Argentina, winning six and drawing six. One of those draws was followed by a penalty-shootout defeat in the last 16 of France 1998.

Elfath, an American citizen born in Morocco, will officiate the England-Argentina clash, with fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins serving as his assistant referees.

Standing tall, chest puffed out, and arms outstretched, Jude Bellingham’s trademark celebration has become one of the defining images of England’s World Cup.

When the defending champions face England in Thursday's World Cup semifinal in Atlanta [1am, Bangladesh Time], Lionel Messi and company will swap their traditional sky blue and white stripes for their dark blue away kit.

The technology introduced to eliminate controversy has become the tournament's defining subplot, and Argentina, fairly or otherwise, have found themselves at its centre.

The bottom line is that both teams have repeatedly found a way to win even when the odds appeared stacked against them. Neither, however, has produced the convincing, dominant display expected of a potential champion.