Malta defeated Gibraltar 2-0 in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendlies 2 stage in the 2020 season. The match was played at Ta'Qali National Stadium in Ta'Qali. N. Popov officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Malta vs Gibraltar meeting in Friendlies with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Malta and Gibraltar. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
FriendliesRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Barring 15-year-old JJ Gabriel coming in for England Under-20 striker Ethan Wheatley, who has a minor calf problem, Manchester United's 25-man squad for their first two pre-season games in Helsinki and Trondheim has stayed the same. It means the academy players not involved – including the likes of Gibraltar international James Scanlon, midfielder Jack Moorhouse, who spent the first half of last season at Leyton Orient, and Gabriele Biancheri, who was at Rotherham, will have to seriously consider their next moves. Australia full-back James Overy also falls into that group.
Despite entering as one of the favorites, Croatia were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team. However, he appears set to continue his professional career for one more season with AC Milan. Croatia have been one of the most impressive national teams in recent years, reaching a World Cup final and finishing third at Qatar 2022. However, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 edition. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team, bringing a golden era to an end. In addition, he appears determined to extend his contract with AC Milan. According to Andrea Ramazzotti, via La Gazzetta dello Sport, Luka Modrić has decided to end his international career with Croatia. He has decided to announce it at the beginning of October 2026, after the match against Spain in the UEFA Nations League. With this, he establishes as one of the greatest legends of the national team, writing his name alongside Davor Šuker and Zvonimir Boban. Despite his international retirement, Modrić has reached an agreement to extend his contract with AC Milan for one more season, joining the club’s tour in Australia, reports Andrea Ramazzotti. With this, Ruben Amorim keeps the central figure of his midfield, as he had already expressed his desire to continue working with him. However, the head coach has already made it clear that he may not play every match. Luka Modrić has proven to be a truly outstanding player at 41 years old. At the 2026 World Cup, he started all four matches Croatia played. Not only was he key in his national team’s two victories, but he also provided an assist. Despite his age, he remains in excellent physical condition, making his presence at AC Milan a guaranteed reinforcement for the 2026-27 season in the rebuild of the roster. Luka Modric of AC Milan. Modric may be key to unlocking Ricci and Jashari at AC Milan Luka Modrić was a key figure for AC Milan in the most recent season. Under Massimiliano Allegri, he played 2,864 minutes across 37 matches. As a result, he was the team’s oldest player to record the most minutes played. Amid the reconstruction under Ruben Amorim, the Croatian veteran could be key to helping develop Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari at the Rossoneri. During the 2025-26 season, Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari had very little prominence, as they raised serious doubts in several aspects of their game. With this in mind, Luka Modrić can serve as a mentor to both players, helping provide them with more tools to make a greater impact. In addition, they would once again have the opportunity to gradually take on more responsibility, allowing for a slow transition.
According to reports, Spain and Argentina could face off in November for the Finalissima, following the Europeans' victory in the 2026 World Cup final. Just days after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup, courtesy of a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute, the two sides could be headed for a rematch before the year is out. According to a report from Argentina’s ESPN and DSports, the long-postponed Finalissima between the reigning Copa America and European champions is being revived for later this year. The Finalissima was originally slated to be played in March, pitting Copa America winners Argentina against Euro 2024 champions Spain, but the match was suspended amid the escalating conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel in the Middle East. With broadcast and commercial contracts already signed with the Qatari government for a fixture at Lusail Stadium in Doha, both CONMEBOL and UEFA have kept the door open to staging the game before it expires. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin are reportedly in talks to find a workable date on the calendar, with two FIFA windows under consideration: September 21 to October 6, or November 9 to 17. Lamine Yamal lifts the World Cup trophy. (Getty Images) A rematch would give both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal another shot at facing off just months after their World Cup final meeting, this time with the Finalissima trophy on the line, a title Argentina already won in 2022 by thrashing Italy 3-0. The match could also serve as a potential farewell for Messi in an Argentina shirt, in case he hasn’t already played his last game at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup final, as he has yet to say whether the final was his last game with the national team. Spain’s potential scheduling conflict Playing the Finalissima this year isn’t without its complications, particularly for Spain. Between September, October and November, La Roja are already committed to UEFA Nations League fixtures against England, Croatia and Czechia, leaving little obvious room on the calendar for an extra match. Since the Nations League is a UEFA-run competition, though, the confederation could still rework Spain’s fixture schedule to carve out a window for the Finalissima. Argentina, for its part, is set to return to action between September 21 and October 6 for its next FIFA window, when it could play up to four matches.
A recent comparison has emerged, highlighting a unique achievement that separates the Portuguese forward from his ultimate rival and a host of other all-time greats. Cristiano Ronaldo is still proving he has the ultimate edge over legends like Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo Nazario when it comes to delivering massive moments on the international stage. A recent comparison has emerged, highlighting a unique achievement that separates the Portuguese forward from his ultimate rival and a host of other all-time greats. The comparison has quickly gained traction across social media, especially after Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign, as fans revisit Ronaldo’s extraordinary longevity and consistency at the international level. The statistic highlighted by the comparison focuses exclusively on competitive international matches against some of soccer’s traditional heavyweight nations. The 41-year-old veteran has scored 12 competitive international goals against top sides such as France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, England, and Italy, combined, comfortably outperforming several iconic players in the same category. According to the comparison, Zinedine Zidane recorded seven goals, Ronaldo Nazario scored four, and Lionel Messi has three against the same group of opponents, as confirmed by Transfermarkt. Ronaldo’s advantage stems largely from his extraordinary longevity with Portugal and his repeated appearances in European Championships, World Cups, and UEFA Nations League competitions. Over more than two decades, he has consistently faced Europe’s strongest national teams while maintaining an elite scoring rate. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the UEFA Nations League trophy. Those repeated encounters allowed him to build a goalscoring record against opponents that many of soccer’s greatest players rarely managed to face as often. His performances have frequently come on the biggest stages, adding even more weight to the statistic. Ronaldo’s record against international top 7 giants Among the standout performances in Ronaldo’s international career is his famous display against Spain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese captain scored a sensational hat-trick in the unforgettable 3-3 draw, producing one of the tournament’s defining individual performances. Across his competitive meetings with Spain, Ronaldo has scored four goals, making La Roja one of his favorite elite opponents. Those goals continue to stand among the most memorable moments of his international career. What’s more, he has also enjoyed impressive success against several other European giants. Against France, he has scored two competitive goals, including both strikes in Portugal’s 2-2 draw at Euro 2020. While Portugal famously defeated France in the Euro 2016 final, Ronaldo’s leadership throughout that tournament remains one of the defining chapters of his international legacy. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal poses for photographs with the Euro 2016 trophy The Netherlands has also been a productive opponent. Ronaldo has scored four competitive goals against the Dutch, including a memorable brace at Euro 2012 and another goal in Portugal’s victory in the 2019 UEFA Nations League Final. Germany is another nation where Ronaldo eventually found success in front of goal despite several difficult encounters earlier in his career. He has scored twice in competitive fixtures against Germany, including his goal at Euro 2020. OpponentGamesGoalsAssistsRecord (W-D-L)France6201W – 3D – 2LSpain7401W – 3D – 3LNetherlands4414W – 0D – 0LGermany5210W – 0D – 5LBrazil1000W – 1D – 0LEngland2000W – 2D – 0LItaly0000W – 0D – 0LTOTALS251226W – 9D – 10L Messi’s numbers tell different story Lionel Messi has enjoyed enormous international success with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup. However, when examining competitive goals against the same group of powerhouse nations, his total remains lower. Messi has sco
Although they weren't considered top contenders, Spain managed to defeat Argentina, ending a 16-year drought by winning the 2026 World Cup. With this victory, they broke four records in the tournament. Spain established as the best team of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Showing admirable consistency, Luis de la Fuente’s team defeated Argentina in a highly competitive match. Led by Ferran Torres, they ended a 16-year drought since their last World Cup title, edging their second-ever title in the competition. Not only did they return to being a brilliant side, but they also managed to break four major records along the way. According to Guinness World Records, via X, formerly Twitter, Spain have managed to break four World Cup records: Most clean sheets – 7, Fewest goals conceded – 1, Oldest Manager to win the World Cup – Luis de la Fuente, and Longest unbeaten run in competitive men’s matches – 38. With these records, they highlight their greatest strength: They do not rely on a single player, but rather on a solid collective. Head coach Luis de la Fuente built his team very differently from the others. While some prioritized building an attacking side, he decided to focus on defensive solidity. Led by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, they became the team with the fewest goals conceded. In addition, Marc Cucurella and Rodri also contributed greatly to the team’s stability. Alongside them, Unai Simón returned to shine as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Spain’s undefeated streak puts them ahead of Italy After losing the UEFA Nations League final on penalties, Spain appeared to lose their status as favorites ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, head coach Luis de la Fuente managed to establish a winning dynamic, accumulating 38 consecutive matches without defeat in regulation time. Following this, they have surpassed Italy, the last national team to establish such a streak for several years. Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy From 2018 to 2021, Italy accumulated a run of 37 unbeaten matches. While Luis de la Fuente’s team had already matched that record after defeating France, they have now extended it, setting a new mark. Spain’s last defeat came on March 22, 2024, when they lost 1–0 against Colombia in a friendly match in London. Luis de la Fuente: The mastermind behind Spain’s youth rise After the dismissal of Luis Enrique, the supporters foresaw a somewhat bleak future for Spain. However, the Spanish Soccer Federation decided to turn to Luis de la Fuente. Without extensive experience in clubs or senior national teams, he took charge of the national team. Demonstrating his knowledge of the youth ranks, he rebuilt the roster, winning UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro and World Cup, a historic path. Luis de la Fuente based much of his sporting project on Spain’s youth categories. After coaching every level of the national setup, he got to know first-hand all of the young talents such as Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Merino, Álex Baena, and more current stars. Relying on a possession-based style built around the wings, he excelled, maintaining a solid defense that allowed them to shine. Despite not arriving at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with much recognition, Luis de la Fuente is already considered by many supporters to be the greatest coach in Spain’s history. Not only did they win every trophy, but he also gave the team a highly dominant style of play, something that will remain in history. While the players are hugely important, it was the head coach who shaped the history of the national team.
Nico Williams has been left out from Spain's starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina. Nico Williams entered the 2026 World Cup as one of Spain‘s most highly anticipated talents and one of the most dangerous wingers in the world. However, for today’s championship clash against Argentina at MetLife Stadium, the Athletic Bilbao standout will have to wait for his opportunity from the substitutes’ bench. Williams will miss out on the starting eleven due to a calculated tactical decision by manager Luis de la Fuente. While the explosive winger has fully recovered from his recent injury, the Spanish boss has opted to stick with the core lineup that successfully navigated the knockout rounds to reach the final. Instead, De la Fuente has handed the starting nod to Alex Baena on the left flank. This tactical setup leaves Spain with Lamine Yamal patrolling the right wing and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the line at center forward, maintaining the exact attacking trio that started the previous matches, including the semifinal victory over France. A World Cup filled with obstacles for Williams Throughout Spain’s recent competitive cycles, including their title runs in Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League, Williams has been indispensable as a dynamic threat down the left flank. His partnership with Lamine Yamal previously gave La Roja one of the most exciting young wing duos in international soccer, but with both stars entering this World Cup carrying injuries, the Spanish attack occasionally looked static and predictable. Nico Williams #17 of Spain is fouled by Nicolas de la Cruz #7 of Uruguay. After being managed carefully as a second-half substitute in Spain’s opening three group matches, Williams suffered a heavy knock against Uruguay that aggravated his underlying muscular issue. The setback proved costly, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as an unused substitute during the knockout victories over Austria and Portugal. While he finally made his return to action with brief cameos off the bench against Belgium and France, he has struggled to find his usual rhythm or impact the scoresheet. In total, the winger has appeared in five matches during this World Cup campaign but has logged just 76 minutes on the pitch, a frustrating reality far below what was expected of him before the tournament kicked off.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already confirmed the tournament was his last World Cup, but speculation is growing that his final appearance for his country could arrive in a setting filled with personal meaning. Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary international journey may be approaching its final chapter after Portugal’s disappointing 2026 World Cup exit. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already confirmed the tournament was his last World Cup, but speculation is growing that his final appearance for his country could arrive in a setting filled with personal meaning. After more than two decades representing Portugal, Ronaldo’s relationship with the national team has become one of the greatest stories in soccer history. Now, as fans wait for his next decision, a possible farewell moment is gaining attention because of its emotional connection to where his international adventure began. Ronaldo’s Portugal story could come full circle Ronaldo’s senior Portugal career started in a low-profile friendly against Kazakhstan on August 20, 2003. Few could have imagined that the teenage talent from Madeira would eventually become the most capped player and highest-scoring international player in history. The match took place in Chaves, northern Portugal, in front of only around 8,000 supporters. Two decades later, Ronaldo has transformed himself into a global icon, becoming the face of Portuguese soccer and helping change how the country sees itself on the international stage. The beginning of an era for @selecaoportugal 🇵🇹#OnThisDay in 2003, @Cristiano made his first senior appearance for his country in a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1bw23819kw— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 20, 2018 Ronaldo has scored a world-record 143 international goals and has represented Portugal at a record sixth World Cup, appearing alongside Lionel Messi and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa as the only players to reach that milestone. His career with Portugal includes unforgettable achievements, especially Euro 2016, when he lifted the nation’s first major international trophy. Even though he was forced off injured during the final against France, the veteran’s leadership throughout the tournament played a major role in Portugal’s historic triumph. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal poses for photographs with the Euro 2016 trophy What did Jorge Jesus say about Ronaldo’s Portugal future? Following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat against Spain, Ronaldo admitted that his World Cup journey was over. However, he has not officially announced his retirement from international soccer. The arrival of the new Selecao coach, Jorge Jesus, has added another layer to the discussion. Jesus previously worked with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and has made it clear that he would continue selecting the veteran forward if he remains available. “As long as he’s playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits and under the conditions that I consider best for the national team,” Jesus said during his presentation. The coach also described the legend as a symbol of Portuguese soccer and insisted that the forward would never become a problem for the national team. “Cris is a symbol of Portuguese football. Cris is a symbol of the national team… that will forever be in the history books,” Jesus added. Ronaldo’s potential Portugal farewell match emerges According to reports, Ronaldo may have already identified the ideal occasion for his Portugal farewell. Saudi journalist Mohammed Awaad claims that a Portuguese soccer agent suggested Ronaldo could make his final appearance against Wales in the UEFA Nations League. The match is scheduled to take place at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, the famous home of Sporting CP, where Ronaldo developed before becoming a global superstar. “He’ll play against Wales in the UEFA Nations League. The match will be at the home of Lisbon club Jose Alvalade,” Awaad wrote on X (former
Slavko Vincic has been assigned as the referee for the 2026 World Cup final, prompting questions on his record with Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain. The 2026 World Cup final is rapidly approaching, and every minor detail surrounding Sunday’s grand finale at MetLife Stadium will be under the global microscope. FIFA recently announced that Slovenian official Slavko Vincic has been appointed to referee the tournament’s deciding match. The high-profile assignment has immediately sparked discussion regarding his historical track record with Lionel Messi‘s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain. Vincic, 46, has put together a distinguished international career since first earning his FIFA badge in 2010, regularly calling marquee matchups in Europe and on the international stage. At the club level, his impressive resume is highlighted by officiating the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, as well as the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The Slovenian official made his World Cup debut in Qatar, where he was assigned to two matches, and has added another three assignments to his tally during the 2026 tournament. Sunday’s highly anticipated final will mark his sixth career World Cup match, and his fourth of this current campaign, representing the absolute pinnacle of his officiating career. Yamal’s Spain record with Vincic Given his status as one of UEFA’s top referees, Vincic has had numerous opportunities to oversee Spain in competitive European fixtures. His history with La Roja dates back to a 2017 friendly against Colombia, followed by group-stage duties at Euro 2020 against Sweden, and a UEFA Nations League semifinal clash against Italy in 2023, though all of those matches predated Lamine Yamal‘s international breakthrough. The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup Final have been appointed. 🤝— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 16, 2026 However, Vincic has been the man in the middle for two significant matches in Yamal’s young international career. Both occurred during Spain‘s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign, starting with a 1-0 group-stage win over Italy and followed by the 2-1 semifinal victory against France, where the teenage winger scored his famous long-range equalizer. Vincic’s record with Messi’s Argentina Due to the geographical divide, Vincic has naturally crossed paths with Argentina far less frequently than Spain. Yet, the Slovenian referee was at the whistle for one of the most shocking and painful moments in modern Argentine soccer history. The only time Vincic has refereed the Albiceleste was during their opening group-stage match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In that game, Saudi Arabia pulled off a historic 2-1 upset, snapping Argentina’s legendary 36-match unbeaten streak and marking the only time Messi’s side has ever lost with Vincic on the pitch. Lionel Messi of Argentina speaks with referee Slavko Vincic. Despite the final scoreline, the refereeing decisions on that day actually favored the South American champions early on. In just the seventh minute, Vincic awarded Argentina a penalty after Leandro Paredes was pulled down during a corner kick, a decision that was heavily debate, allowing Messi to open the scoring, before he went on to hand out six yellow cards to Saudi Arabian players while keeping his book clean for the Argentines.
Bridging the gap between two soccer generations, Lamine Yamal's first career matchups against legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will both have occurred in tournament finals with a trophy on the line. Lamine Yamal has reached his third major final with the Spanish national team, this time competing for the 2026 World Cup, which will also mark his first career match against Lionel Messi. Interestingly, his first-ever matchup against Cristiano Ronaldo, the other defining icon of this soccer generation, also took place in a championship game. The debut for Barcelona’s young winger occurred in April 2023 when he took the pitch at just 15 years and 9 months old, becoming the youngest player to represent the club. However, his rapid rise coincided with the end of the European era for both Messi and Ronaldo, with the Argentine playing his final months at PSG before heading to Inter Miami, while the Portuguese forward had already departed for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Despite his youth, Yamal quickly earned a starting role for Spain, leading to an eventual meeting against Ronaldo on the European stage. The first match between Yamal and Ronaldo occurred in the summer of 2025, when the two players faced off in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final. Through 90 minutes of regulation, Portugal and Spain played to a 2-2 draw, with Ronaldo scoring a goal before leaving in the 88th minute due to an injury. During the ensuing extra-time period, Yamal was substituted in the 106th minute after a physical matchup against fullback Nuno Mendes, and with the teams still tied, Portugal ultimately claimed the trophy with a 5-3 victory in a penalty shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo and team mates of Portugal pose for a photo with the UEFA Nations League trophy The second and most recent meeting between Yamal and Ronaldo took place in the Round of 16 of the current 2026 World Cup. Both players struggled to find space in a tight, defensive game, which was finally decided when Mikel Merino scored a late winner to send Spain to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory. Yamal’s career record in finals Having recently turned 19, Yamal is already regarded as one of the top players in the world, highlighted by his runner-up finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembele. Despite his age, he has played in several high-stakes finals with mixed results for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. CompetitionDateTeamRivalResultGoalsAssistsSpanish Super Cup 23/2414/01/24BarcelonaReal Madrid1-4 defeat––Euro 202414/07/24SpainEngland2-1 win–1Spanish Super Cup 24/2512/01/25BarcelonaReal Madrid5-2 win1–Copa del Rey 24/2526/04/25BarcelonaReal Madrid3-2 win–2Nations League 24/2508/06/25SpainPortugal2-2 (5-3 defeat in penalties)––Spanish Super Cup 25/2611/01/26BarcelonaReal Madrid3-2 win–– In total, Lamine Yamal has played in four cup finals for Barcelona and two for the Spanish national team. With his club, he has recorded three wins and one defeat, while split with a win and a loss in his two final appearances for Spain. Across those six matches, the winger has recorded one goal and three assists.
The stakes couldn't be higher, and fans are buzzing to see exactly how this do-or-die result will define the ultimate road to the tournament's biggest prize. France and Spain are squaring off in an absolutely massive Semi-finals showdown at the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps’ squad is gearing up to battle Luis de la Fuente’s reigning European champions in Arlington. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and fans are buzzing to see exactly how this do-or-die result will define the ultimate road to the tournament’s biggest prize. France enters the contest after an impressive run through the knockout rounds, while Spain has continued to showcase the possession-based soccer that has become its trademark. With stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal expected to feature, the semifinal promises to be one of the standout matches of the competition. France arrives with confidence Les Bleus have looked like one of the tournament’s most complete teams. They topped their group before defeating Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco to reach the semifinal without conceding a goal in the knockout rounds. Didier Deschamps has built an attack capable of hurting opponents in several different ways. Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals. At the same time, Dembele continues to justify his reputation after winning the Ballon d’Or, and Olise has emerged as one of the tournament’s leading creators. DateFrance’s OpponentStageResultJuly 9, 2026MoroccoQuarter-finalsWin (2-0)July 4, 2026ParaguayRound of 16Win (1-0)June 30, 2026SwedenRound of 32Win (3-0)June 26, 2026NorwayGroup StageWin (4-1)June 22, 2026IraqGroup StageWin (3-0)June 16, 2026SenegalGroup StageWin (3-1) The team has also become increasingly balanced as the tournament has progressed. Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone have provided stability behind an explosive front four, allowing Deschamps to play with greater attacking freedom than in previous World Cups. Spain continues to trust its identity Spain has taken a different route to the semifinals. Luis de la Fuente’s side has relied on patience, possession and defensive discipline, conceding only once throughout the tournament. Rodri continues to dictate the tempo in midfield, while Lamine Yamal remains one of soccer’s brightest young stars despite not yet reaching his peak scoring form in North America. Mikel Merino has repeatedly delivered from the bench, scoring decisive late goals against both Portugal and Belgium. DateSpain’s OpponentStageResultJuly 10, 2026BelgiumQuarter-finalsWin (2-1)July 6, 2026PortugalRound of 16Win (1-0)July 2, 2026AustriaRound of 32Win (3-0)June 27, 2026UruguayGroup StageWin (1-0)June 21, 2026Saudi ArabiaGroup StageWin (4-0)June 15, 2026Cabo VerdeGroup StageTie (0-0) Spain’s confidence also comes from recent history against France. La Roja defeated Les Bleus in the Euro 2024 semifinal and again in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinal, giving them belief that another victory is possible. What happens if France wins and Spain loses? A French victory would send Les Bleus into another World Cup final, where they would meet the winner of the Argentina vs England semifinal. Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates with Dayot Upamecano #4 and Michael Olise #11. Spain would then be eliminated from title contention and move into the Third-Place Match. A place in the final would also continue France’s remarkable consistency at the highest level, adding another chapter to one of international soccer’s strongest modern eras. What happens if France and Spain are level after 90 minutes? Although the match could finish level after regulation, the semifinal itself cannot end in a draw. Kylian Mbappe #10 of France converts the penalty to score Instead, the teams would play 30 minutes of extra time, and if neither side finds a winner, the contest would be settled by a penalty shootout. Only after those stages would the World Cup bracket be completed, with one team advancing to th
Set to face France in the 2026 World Cup semifinals, Spain has recently suffered a drop in the FIFA Rankings. Spain has reestablished itself as one of the clear favorites at the 2026 World Cup, now standing two wins away from a second world title following the 2010 triumph in South Africa. With France standing between them and a place in the final, a victory would also send La Roja to the top of the FIFA Rankings. In the most recent official update, Spain sits third with 1,934.79 points. They entered the tournament in second with 1,874.71 points, meaning that despite accumulating more points during the competition, France’s stronger results pushed La Roja down one spot in the standings. With France currently occupying first place, a win over Les Bleus in the semifinal would give Spain a significant rankings boost and reclaim the top spot in world soccer. It would not be the first time they have sat there. Fueled by back-to-back European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup triumph, Spain dominated the number one position in the FIFA Rankings for much of the period between 2008 and 2014, before a group-stage exit in Brazil brought that era to an end. They returned to the summit most recently between September 2025 and January 2026, and are now within reach of doing so again. Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring his first World Cup goal. Spain have not been outside the FIFA top 10 since September 2017, when they slipped to 11th. Their all-time low sits at 25th, but that feels like a distant memory for a program that has been one of the sport’s most consistently dominant forces in recent years, with Lamine Yamal now ensuring the next generation of Spanish soccer looks just as bright. Spain’s recent dominance over France a positive omen Despite France holding the higher ranking, it is Spain who have had the upper hand in the most important recent meetings between the two nations. Back-to-back victories in the Euro 2024 semifinal and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinal have given Yamal’s side significant momentum heading into yet another knockout stage collision, this time on the biggest stage of all.
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