World Cup

World Cup Matches of The Day: Semi Finals

WEDNESDAY

15 July 3:00am AWST

France v Spain

Dallas Stadium, Texas

Two of the tournament favourites meet with a place in the World Cup final on the line, and there is very little to separate them. France have lived up to expectations throughout the tournament, while Spain arrive in the semi-finals riding a 36-match unbeaten run.

Kylian Mbappé was again at the heart of France’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco, taking his tally to eight goals for the tournament. Ousmane Dembélé has five of his own, while Michael Olise leads the World Cup with five assists, giving France attacking threats across the pitch rather than relying solely on their captain.

Spain have been less convincing in the knockout rounds, needing late Mikel Merino goals to edge past both Portugal and Belgium. Lamine Yamal has scored just once at the tournament, but a semi-final against France feels like the perfect stage for one of world football’s biggest stars to leave his mark.

Spain’s ability to control possession should test France’s patience, but Mbappé and Dembélé are at their most dangerous when space opens up. With both sides carrying enough quality to punish even the smallest mistake, this has all the ingredients for a tense semi-final that could go beyond 90 minutes.

VERDICT: 1-1 after 90 minutes (France win 2-1 in extra time)

Same Game Multi: Under 3.5 Total Goals, Lamine Yamal Over 0.5 Shots on Target & Kylian Mbappé Over 2.5 Total Shots @ $2.55*


THURSDAY

16 July 3:00am AWST

England v Argentina

Atlanta Stadium, Georgia

England are one win away from their first World Cup final in 60 years, but defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi stand in their way. Forty years after Diego Maradona inspired Argentina past England in Mexico, one of football’s great international rivalries is back on the World Cup stage.

Remarkably, this will be the first time Messi has ever faced England. The 39-year-old has scored eight goals at this World Cup and now stands as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, although Argentina needed extra time to see off Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals.

England have built serious momentum through the knockout rounds. Jude Bellingham has scored twice in each of their past two matches, becoming the first player to do so in consecutive World Cup knockout games since Maradona in 1986. Harry Kane also has six goals, giving England two genuine scoring threats heading into their biggest match of the tournament.

Argentina have repeatedly found a way even when they have not been at their best, and Messi only needs one moment to change a game. England, however, look capable of matching them physically and have more goals coming from different areas of the pitch. After their statement win over Mexico and a 2-1 victory against Norway, England are firmly back among the favourites to lift the trophy.

VERDICT: England 2-1 Argentina

Same Game Multi: Over 1.5 Total Goals, Harry Kane Over 0.5 Shots on Target & Lionel Messi Over 0.5 Shots on Target @ $2.23*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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