France

vs

Spain

Preview

France

• France have been red-hot in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage 2026, with their 3 wins to nil against Sweden (3-0), Paraguay (1-0) and Morocco (2-0) coming from a position of dominance.
• Deschamps' men have won 9 and lost just 1 of their last 10 in all competitions, conceding just 7 goals.
• France are the ultimate counter-attacking team though, with Didier Deschamps' compact, selective-press system designed to keep the shutout and then unleash the pace of Kylian Mbappé in transition.

Spain

• Spain are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions (W7, D3, L0) and averaging 1.80 goals per game, having scored 18.
• Luis de la Fuente has made the Spain side his own since taking charge in December 2022, with his possession-first, high counter-press model looking to pin teams deep in their own half and then suffocate them when the ball comes out.
• Spain are also on a 5-game win streak in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage 2026, with Mikel Merino their top scorer in the knockout stage.

Head-to-Head

• Spain have won both of the last 2 meetings, including a crazy 5-4 win in the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025.
• These two teams are both unbeaten in their respective knockout campaigns, so it could be a tense matchup.

Key Players

• Mbappé is the danger man for France with 4 goals in 3 FIFA World Cup knockout stage 2026 matches.
• Mikel Merino has 2 in 3 for Spain in the knockout stage.

Betting Insights

• France come into this match as slight favorites at 2.2, marginally ahead of Spain at 3.4, while the draw is priced at 3.3.
• Spain will try to control the middle third, while France will look to counter-attack, so under 2.5 goals at 1.7 and both teams to score No at 1.91 both fit the bill.

Prediction

• Cagey clash expected at Dallas Stadium.
• Mbappé's pace and vertical running should give France the edge in this close matchup and Deschamps' men are better placed than Spain to clinch the win, but La Roja have enough about them to make it close.