0 minutes agoKeith Duggan writes about Lamine Yamal:“What did you do on the day you turned 19? On Monday, Lamine Yamal’s birthday morning started like many others in his young, exultant life: on a football pitch, dozens of camera lens trained on him as Spain went through their warm-ups. Spain trained in the Cotton Bowl, the famous gridiron venue in downtown Dallas that has hosted many prodigious talents over the past 90 years.“But the blond-tipped, braced youngster from the Balearic enclave of Rocafonda is of a different species to the precocious juvenile brilliance that has long been celebrated in US sport.“Spanish football has watched the transformation of Argentina over the past two decades with Lionel Messi as conduit. Now, they believe they have their own gift from the planets."Spain's Lamine Yamal at a press conference in Dallas. Photograph: Christopher Neundorf/EPA [ ‘Heir to Messi and Maradona’: Spain’s Lamine Yamal ready to break French hearts againOpens in new window ]17 minutes agoThe teams are out:France: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembele, Barcola, Olise; MbappéSpain: Simon; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, BaenaBiggest decisions are Tchouaméni is back from injury to replace Manu Koné for France, and Barcola after some great sub appearances, starts instead of Doué. For Spain, again Pedri is on the bench, with De la Fuente preferring Fabian Ruiz over him. Good options to have.40 minutes agoIf anyone can beat France, it’s Spain, says Kevin Kilbane as he previews the match on the America 2026 podcast.Paul Howard was joined by Kevin Kilbane for the America 2026 Podcast. Listen to the full podcast here:Confrontational Leadership - Miguel Delaney and Kevin Kilbane on the Bellingham beef, tired bodies and FIFA’s dream draw Listen | 50:5350 minutes agoHello and welcome to live coverage of the first World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, which takes place in the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. These two teams met in Euro 2024 two years ago, when Spain deservedly won 2-1. France flaunted its firepower today during its Bastille Day parade and the feeling is that their firepower up front on the football field is too much for anyone to cope with at this World Cup. Kylian Mbappé in contention for the Golden Boot with eight goals, and Michael Olise one of the main creators of the tournament. Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele have five goals too, while PSG duo Desiré Doué and Bradley Barcola are also top-class.Recently turned 19-year-old Lamine Yamal was expected to take the tournament by storm but has played well in fits and bursts after recovering from injury at the end of his club season. Spain rarely lose and rarely concede, they have conceded only one goal in this tournament and haven’t lost an international game for a record 36 matches, coming against Colombia in March 2024. With Rodri pulling the strings, they remain a fearsome opponent. Kickoff is at 8pm.