France plays Spain on Tuesday, July 14 at 3 p.m. ET in the World Cup semifinal at Dallas Stadium. This is a match between the two top-ranked teams in the tournament. France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in their quarterfinal, with Mikel Merino scoring the winner in the 88th minute. This semifinal decides who plays in the final.

France has been the steadier team through the tournament. Spain has had to fight harder in each game. Spain is back in the semifinals for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2010. France has been a semifinal regular. These teams know how to win big matches. Both have experience closing out tournaments.

Spain’s Path: Grit Over Grace

Spain scraped past Belgium with a late goal. They didn’t dominate. They were clinical when it mattered. Mikel Merino came off the bench and turned a rebound into a semifinal ticket. That’s not pretty football, but it’s effective football. Spain’s midfield is sharp. Their defense held firm even when Belgium pressed late. Luis de la Fuente’s team doesn’t play the possession game Spain used to run. They’re more direct now. More practical.

Belgium came into the match depleted. Youri Tielemans was out. Thibaut Courtois got injured and had to leave the match. Despite the injuries, Belgium pushed Spain hard. Spain’s win wasn’t inevitable. It was earned through focus and execution in the moments that mattered.

France’s Dominance and Next Test

France demolished Morocco 2-0. It wasn’t competitive in the second half. France controlled the ball, ran the lanes, and scored when they got chances. Didier Deschamps has built a team with multiple ways to attack. Kylian Mbappé is a constant threat. The midfield is organized. The defense is disciplined. France looks like a team built to win a World Cup.

But semifinals are where tournament football changes. The opposition gets better. The margins shrink. Spain won’t play like Morocco. Spain will find weaknesses if they exist. France will be ready. They’ve been in this situation before. They know how to manage the pressure of a knockout match against a worthy opponent.

What to Watch Tuesday

Spain’s attack will target France’s fullbacks. If Spain can get the ball wide and create chances down the flanks, they have a shot. France’s strength is in the center of the pitch. Spain will try to avoid playing in the middle where France dominates. France wants the ball. They want space to run and pass. Spain wants to be compact and wait for counterattacks.

This is a final before the final. Whoever wins deserves to be there. The loser goes home with pride but no trophy.