Spain vs France Preview: Will $SPAIN’s World Cup Run Continue?

Tomorrow night in Dallas (July 14), Spain are set to meet France in a repeat of their Euro 2024 semifinal.

Prior to the World Cup kicking off, both nations were among a cluster expected to go deep in the tournament and each has made serene progress, with neither suffering defeat in their six games so far.

So how did we get here, who has the edge in the last-four showdown, what might a win mean for the Fan Token™ market, and who could be waiting in the final?

How Spain and France Made It to the Semis

European champions Spain have grown into the tournament. After opening their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde on June 15, Luis de la Fuente’s men looked far more like themselves when destroying Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their next game. A narrow 1-0 win over Uruguay in their final group match was enough to progress to the last 32 as Group H winners.

In the knockout rounds, Spain beat Austria 3-0, edged Portugal 1-0, and eliminated Belgium after a 2-1 scoreline, the latter two wins courtesy of late winners from substitute Mikel Merino. The midfielder had only been on the pitch for six minutes when he scored against Portugal, and for two minutes when his goal downed Belgium.

As for France, who were runners-up in the World Cup four years ago, they won all their Group I games after defeating Iraq 3-0, Senegal 3-1, and Norway 4-1. In the knockout rounds, Les Bleus comfortably dispatched Sweden (3-0), Paraguay (1-0), and Morocco (2-0).

Spain have scored 11 and conceded one. France scored 16 and conceded two. The stage is set for an epic confrontation.

Spain vs France Preview

Before the World Cup began, the Opta supercomputer predicted Spain would win, while France were named second favourites. Interestingly, England were third and holders Argentina fourth: both face off in the other semifinal on July 15.

Opta now give two-time winners France a 57.7% chance of beating Spain tomorrow to make their third successive World Cup final, and a 34.05% chance of lifting the trophy. Spain’s prospects are rated at 42.3% and 23.45%.

So, who is going to make it to the final? This match feels evenly poised, with both teams littered with world-class talent.

France’s attacking players – Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé, and joint top scorer Kylian Mbappé – have won deserved praise during the tournament. Spain have conceded fewer goals than anyone, and rely on the dynamic Lamine Yamal, Merino, and talisman Mikel Oyarzabal to get the goals.

Spain are accustomed to dominating possession, with Rodri and Pedri dictating play from deep. The question is, can they turn it into goals and keep the portcullis closed at the opposite end by repelling Mbappé and co? Yamal has had a relatively quiet tournament so far, but this may be the moment the teenager steps into the spotlight.

Intriguingly, the semifinal takes place on Bastille Day, the biggest date in the French calendar. Spain will be hoping to spoil the celebrations, and having won seven of their last ten meetings with France, they’ll be confident of doing so.

Will Spain ‘Burn to Glory’?

Spain’s strong form (5W, 1D) has already triggered five consecutive Fan Token™ burns, with an escalating percentage of its treasury balance destroyed as it has progressed. There’s every possibility they will continue to ‘burn to glory.’

While Spain’s group stage wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay caused two burns of 1% of treasury holdings, subsequent knockout victories burned 2%, 2.5%, and 5%.

READ ALSO: What Is Burn to Glory?

Since the World Cup began, a total of 2,745,845 Spain Fan Tokens™ ($SPAIN) have burned, reducing the treasury balance from 24.96M to 22.06M $SPAIN. A further 1,654,758 Spain Fan Tokens™ will be burned if they knock out France.

The winner of this intriguing showdown will face either Argentina or England, so there’s a possibility the 2026 World Cup will be contested by the same finalists as 2022.

There’s also a possibility the final will be contested by nations with Fan Tokens™ (in the event of Spain vs Argentina), just like this year’s UCL final. A win for a Fan Token™ country in the World Cup final will burn 10% of treasury holdings.

The next seven days are going to be fascinating.

Ronnie McCluskey: Fan Tokens™ Market Reporter