{"id":54791,"date":"2026-07-14T05:06:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T05:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/54791\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T05:06:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T05:06:11","slug":"world-cup-predictions-semifinals-france-vs-spain-and-england-vs-argentina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/54791\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup predictions, semifinals: France vs Spain and England vs Argentina"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to The Athletic\u2019s daily World Cup Predictions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article gives you the lowdown on all today\u2019s games but with the bonus of some friendly competition\u2026<\/p>\n

Throughout the tournament, we will have one of two Athletic writers (Andy Jones or Elias Burke \u2014 with help from our experts from each of the 48 countries) pitting our soccer knowledge against a different Athletic subscriber each day and \u2018Algo\u2019, the shiny new algorithm from The Athletic, which is making its computerised debut during the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Oh, and a dog called Stanley and a six-year-old called Wilfred (who some of you may remember from last season\u2019s Premier League predictions).<\/p>\n

Our guest subscriber today is Calvin from the U.S., who supports USMNT, Seattle Sounders and Everton. Good luck!<\/p>\n

If you would like to apply to be our guest subscriber for a day during this tournament, please follow the instructions in the article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What happened on Matchday 31?<\/p>\n

Erling Haaland and Norway were sent packing by England on Saturday, though not without a fair share of controversy.<\/p>\n

The nuts and bolts are that England won 2-1 after extra time with an imperious Jude Bellingham scoring both after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead.<\/p>\n

But Norway were angered by England\u2019s first goal which came after a goal kick appeared to hit an overhead sky camera wire before dropping to Elliot Anderson in the build-up. To add to the controversy, a goal from Torbjorn Heggem was disallowed via VAR after a push on Anderson by Haaland at a corner. England could argue they were unlucky to have a penalty overturned after Djed Spence went down in the area but, after Bellingham\u2019s brilliance, they head into the final four.<\/p>\n

With four of our five predictors going for England (with Stanley, ever the rogue, going against the grain), the table remained as it was heading into the last quarter-final.<\/p>\n

Results from July 11, 2026<\/p>\n

Lionel Messi was, for once, not on the scoresheet in the final matchup as Argentina came through 3-1 winners against Switzerland after extra time to set up a tie with England.<\/p>\n

This game, too, was not without controversy, though, as Switzerland\u2019s Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review for \u2018mistaken identity\u2019. The video clearly showed the forward had dived after a tackle from Leandro Paredes. It did not appear it had been a case of Embolo being mistaken for someone else, but rather than booking Paredes, it was Embolo who got a second yellow and was dismissed.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

That result, which everyone bar subscriber Erik went for, leaves the table looking tight with The Algo top, one pick and one per cent ahead of us \u2018Experts\u2019 heading into the final four games. It\u2019s all to play for.<\/p>\n

\tOverall
accuracyCorrect
picksBest
streakThe algorithm70%7014TA experts69%6911Wilfred (age 6)67%677Reader picks61%615Stanley the dog41%414 <\/p>\n

\t\tHow do the predictions work?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pretty simple: we will give you some background on each game, players to watch and facts on the two teams.\u00a0Then we will predict the outcome.<\/p>\n

We will maintain a leaderboard of how everyone gets on with their predictions (ranked by the percentage they get correct) but we\u2019ll also keep a record of \u201cstreaks\u201d \u2014 the number of predictions everyone gets right in a row. These streaks also form a crucial part of\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s interactive Soccer Pick\u2019ems feature<\/a>, allowing you to make your own picks every round as well.<\/p>\n

So come along and get involved, and check back each day to see how we are getting on in the leaderboard \u2014 and probably more importantly, whether you, the subscribers, or Stanley or Wilfred are beating us.<\/p>\n

Or, worst of all, whether \u2018Algo\u2019\u00a0can prove data and statistics know all when it comes to predicting.<\/p>\n

Good luck, and enjoy!<\/p>\n

Predictions for Matchday 32 and 33France vs Spain, semi-final, kick-off 3pm ET, 8pm BST<\/p>\n

Where to watch: FOX (U.S.), ITV (UK)<\/p>\n

Streak Risk Factor: 5\/5. France look clear favourites, but Spain have been the second-best team in the tournament so if anybody can derail France, it could be Luis de la Fuente\u2019s side.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Watch Rating: 5\/5. The two best teams in the tournament battling it out for a place in the World Cup final. Clear your calendar, put your phone on \u2018Do not disturb\u2019 and enjoy. This is going to be unmissable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Athletic Soccer Experts say: \u201cThe tournament\u2019s most formidable attack versus the best defensive team in the World Cup. The question is: who comes out on top?<\/p>\n

\u201cOn paper, France arguably had the toughest quarter-final draw as they faced the impressive Morocco, but they navigated it seamlessly, completely nullifying their opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re fed up of hearing about the genius of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise or not, it is impossible not to talk about them. It would be unfair to suggest that their World Cup hopes solely rest on their shoulders, however, as Didier Deschamps\u2019 backline, led by Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, has grown into the tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will face a Spain side that conceded their first goal of the tournament in their 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-final. That stable foundation has been built on a strong structure out of possession, but more so in possession. Their ability to control possession and territory, while not always entertaining, is impressive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concern for Spain is that for all of their possession, their attack is not firing in the way they would hope. Lamine Yamal has sprinkled his stardust in moments, but has not impacted games with goal contributions in the way he would have liked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Is this the moment for Lamine Yamal? (Frederic J. Brown \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cSpain do not carry the attacking thrust they did when they won the European Championship two years ago, but they do have their not-so-secret weapon Mikel Merino to bring off the bench. He has scored both of their late winners, but that in itself shows one of their issues, which is that their last two games against stronger opposition have been tight because they have not turned dominance into goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Athletic Soccer Experts: FRANCE WIN<\/p>\n

Guest Subscriber Calvin: SPAIN WIN<\/p>\n

Six-year-old Wilfred: FRANCE WIN<\/p>\n

Stanley the dog: SPAIN WIN<\/p>\n

Algo: SPAIN WIN<\/p>\n

Our picks for July 14, 2026<\/p>\n

\t\tEngland vs Argentina, semi-final, kick-off 3pm ET, 8pm BST<\/p>\n

Where to watch: FOX (U.S.), BBC (UK)<\/p>\n

Streak Risk Factor: 5\/5. Both teams have shown an ability to find a way through adversity to win, even if they\u2019re not playing well. For one, that will continue, but it\u2019s very difficult to know who will emerge victorious from this game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our picks for July 15, 2026<\/p>\n

Watch Rating: 5\/5. Neither team have been an eye-catching watch from a stylistic perspective, but they have been involved in close, enthralling matches throughout the knockout stages that you can\u2019t take your eyes off. Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham make it worth watching on their own.<\/p>\n

The Athletic Soccer Experts say: \u201cA team that has its flaws, that has had to dig itself out of a few holes, and no one can quite work out how good they are, but is being led by one of the game\u2019s global superstars and are finding ways to win. It\u2019s a description that applies to both England and Argentina.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a long-standing, fierce rivalry on and off the pitch. There is the history of the Falklands War in 1982, but the footballing narrative is of memories of Diego Maradona\u2019s Hand of God in the 1986 World Cup, or David Beckham\u2019s sending off in 1998.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cArgentina have been unconvincing in the knockout stages with 3-2 victories over Cape Verde (via extra time) and Egypt before another extra-time victory over Switzerland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Jude<\/p>\n

\n England are a moments team \u2013 and Bellingham is key to that (Michael Pimentel\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir campaign has been defined by emotion and Messi. They have struggled for control, but whenever they have needed a moment, it has often been the 39-year-old who has stepped up \u2014 he now has eight goals and two assists. The two sides have not played each other since 2005, which means England have never faced Messi. Stopping him remains the key to limiting Argentina, but doing that is easier said than done.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThomas Tuchel described his side\u2019s 2-1 victory over Norway as \u2018lucky\u2019, and it was difficult to argue with him as England lacked impetus, dynamism and defensive solidity for large portions of the game. They have not been perfect, but they have not needed to be. Just like Argentina, they are a moments team.<\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately, they have been able to rely on Bellingham to step up whenever they have needed a moment, taking his tournament goal total to six with his double against Norway. Alongside Harry Kane, he has been England\u2019s driving force.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Athletic Soccer Experts: ENGLAND WIN<\/p>\n

Guest Subscriber Calvin: ENGLAND WIN<\/p>\n

Six-year-old Wilfred: ARGENTINA WIN<\/p>\n

Stanley the dog: ARGENTINA WIN<\/p>\n

Algo: ENGLAND WIN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to The Athletic\u2019s daily World Cup Predictions. This article gives you the lowdown on all today\u2019s games…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":54792,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7579,4027,1376,11350,2881,19216,751,3937,2266,389,19215,9154,19214,15384,99,2265,2383,5852,556,865,9507,19076,5853,31,200,16928,1066,19213,19211,2264,2938,9508,11024,1727,4240,1726,5280,1437,2217,9506,1743,6110,2192,17,9873,3448,12048,2251,3691,6530,19212],"class_list":["post-54791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-spain","tag-algeria","tag-argentina","tag-australia","tag-austria","tag-belgium","tag-bosnia-herzegovina","tag-brazil","tag-canada","tag-cape-verde","tag-colombia","tag-congo-dr","tag-croatia","tag-curacao","tag-czech-republic","tag-ecuador","tag-egypt","tag-england","tag-fifa-mens-world-cup","tag-france","tag-germany","tag-ghana","tag-haiti","tag-international-football","tag-iran","tag-iraq","tag-ivory-coast","tag-japan","tag-jordan","tag-mexico-mens-national-team","tag-morocco","tag-netherlands","tag-new-zealand","tag-norway","tag-panama","tag-paraguay","tag-portugal","tag-qatar","tag-saudi-arabia","tag-scotland","tag-senegal","tag-soccer","tag-south-africa","tag-south-korea","tag-spain","tag-sweden","tag-switzerland","tag-tunisia","tag-turkey","tag-uruguay","tag-us-mens-national-team","tag-uzbekistan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54791"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54791\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}