Hey, we were four for four in our quarter-final predictions! Admittedly, we tipped the world’s four best teams to fill the four semi-final spots, so it’s not like we went out on a limb, but you can only call them as you see them. Anyway, with that flawless record behind us, it’s time to address the semi-finals. Step right up for this round’s worth of prognostication — and if you’d like to watch these matches with a group of roaring fans, here are some recommended local sports bars, watch parties and more.
France vs Spain
July 14, 3 p.m. EDT
AT&T Stadium, Dallas, TX
The big one! Or at least that’s how it looks on paper. These are the two top teams in FIFA’s rankings, the two best teams at the tournament, and the two teams that — in a truly adventurous prediction, we’ll admit — we picked as the most likely potential winners in our initial World Cup preview. It feels like a shame that they’re meeting in the semi-final, rather than the final, but here we are.
So! Who’s going to win? This match feels a bit like the time-honored scenario of the unstoppable force and the immovable object: France’s embarrassment of riches in attack versus Spain’s serene midfield and nigh-on impregnable defence, as the goal that Spain conceded against Belgium was the first they’d shipped all tournament. But then, the Spaniards haven’t come up against Mbappé, Olisé, Démbélé and co., either. Something has to give. We reckon it’ll be the Spanish defense.
Prediction: France 3 – Spain 2
England vs Argentina
July 15, 3 p.m. EDT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
There’s a whole lot of history here. England beat Argentina en route to their 1966 World Cup victory, with England manager Alf Ramsey not endearing himself to the Argentine public by describing the team as “animals.” A generation later, in 1986, Diego Maradona took revenge with an all-time masterpiece of arts both dark and sublime — first the notorious “Hand of God” goal, and then quite possibly the most beautiful World Cup goal ever, a balletic run from his own half that left most of England’s team on their backsides and veteran Argentine commentator Victor Hugo Morales weeping tears of joy. Twelve years later, we had David Beckham’s moment of madness, kicking out at Diego Simeone and being sent off for his troubles. Beckham completed his redemption arc four years later, scoring the only goal in a group-stage victory, although England were dumped out in the quarter finals by Brazil. And then… nothing. One friendly aside, the two nations haven’t met since.
So! Who’s going to win? Although they’re defending champions, Argentina have labored to get this far, and yet another testing match in the quarter-finals, a 3-1 victory over Switzerland, can’t have made life feel any easier for them. In fairness, England also endured a difficult quarter-final, requiring an extra 30 minutes in the stifling Miami heat and humidity to emerge victorious over Norway. But Argentina’s squad is the oldest at the tournament, on average a full two years older than England’s, and, of course, their resident genius is pushing 40. That extra mileage, and that alone, might just tip the balance, especially if this game goes all the way to extra time.
England 2 – Argentina 1
Tom Hawking is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor and football fanatic. Find him at his website.
photo: iStock
