Key events

1h agoHalf-time of final to last 30 minutes - reports
2h agoPreamble

Calling it outclassed feels a touch strong to me: I never got the sense these sides were mismatched on the pitch. Spain arrived with a clear strategy, while France seemed to bank on their forwards sorting things out eventually. That approach fits Didier Deschamps, and if pressed I admit some satisfaction at his side falling short, as two World Cup triumphs should belong to only the top managers, and his record of one win plus one final loss feels like the bare minimum given the talent available and the opposition faced.

So what went wrong for France? In straightforward terms, Spain took over. No style in football history has proven tougher to counter, and although it has evolved since the era of three straight tournament victories, the core stays unchanged: dominate midfield and you control the match.

Over the next three hours - and after I hand over - we will review France 0-2 Spain, then turn to England v Argentina. England v Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, what a complete and utter thrill.

Hello everyone. Anyone made plans for this evening?

Time now for the first handover of the day. Daniel Harris steps in to lead you through the coming hours. Make the most of your afternoon.

Here comes today's note from blog regular Krishna Moorthy:

Hello Tom, France faced Spain much as Morocco faced France. Shortest match report possible. They showed a bit more intent than Morocco managed in that fixture, yet France's loss still felt as certain as Morocco's had for long stretches. Early in the tournament I sensed this France group might join the ranks of great sides that never lifted the World Cup, like Netherlands in 74, Brazil in 82, Romania in 94 or Argentina in 2006, though those exits carried more drama. France's departure last night appeared fragmented and accepting.

Still, that should not overshadow Spain's near flawless display.

Which goals are in contention for tournament best? UK broadcasters have not yet run their usual segment, but it is always good to discuss. Five that come to mind right away: Sidny Cabral for Cape Verde against Argentina, Alvarez's similar strike versus Switzerland, Isidor for Haiti against Morocco, Maeda for Japan versus Sweden (a fine team move in a competition short on those) and Mbappe against Morocco.

Thomas Tuchel explains he taps into his inner child to manage the pressures of the role. This from AP:

How does England coach Thomas Tuchel cope with the demands of guiding a side to the World Cup semi-finals?

Easy. A bicycle, an empty lot and an ice cream.

Tuchel spoke ahead of England's World Cup semi-final versus Lionel Messi's Argentina and said he unwinds by tapping into his youthful side.

Sometimes you simply ride a bike, find a large parking area, enjoy an ice cream for 15 minutes and suddenly feel 15 again, Tuchel said Tuesday. You savour a warm summer evening on the bike with that treat and you reconnect with that joyful feeling we all carry inside, and that is often enough.

Our data specialist Andrew Beasley explains why England must still respect 39-year-old Leo Messi's pace:

When Messi reaches top speed he can still move quickly. Sofascore data shows his fastest sprint at this World Cup reached 30.9 km/h. That tops any run by Lautaro Martinez (30.5) or Alexis Mac Allister (30.2) for Argentina, even though both are more than ten years younger. It sits close to the best marks from Kane (31.4) or Jude Bellingham (31.1).

And Barney Ronay sets the scene:

Shared traits stand out. Both countries place football at the heart of national pride. On the field these are evenly matched sides, or rather not traditional teams but lively mixes of individuals propelled here by star names and dramatic recoveries, relying on passion more than structure.

Whatever unfolds in Atlanta is unlikely to stay measured or calm. England have lived on the edge in their last two games. Argentina have several players eager for battle. High-stakes VAR drama? An early clash with Cristian Romero? Emi Martinez in a shootout against England? Forget routine mischief. Expect something far larger.

World Cup Daily is out now and I am tuned in while writing. Give it a listen. Plenty to consider, including Philippe Auclair noting that for the first time much of the world appears to be supporting England against Argentina, which may stir interest in Glasgow, Dublin and Cardiff.

Half-time of final to last 30 minutes - reports

Supporters at the final will have extra time for a drink at the concourse or to grab more snacks for the children, as reports confirm half-time will stretch to 30 minutes, Fifa has announced. This allows room for the anticipated Super Bowl-style entertainment featuring performers such as Shakira, Justin Bieber and Madonna delivering their popular songs. Or they might surprise everyone with new material. We can only wait and see.

Preamble

Welcome everyone, and hello to a huge World Cup day. We will track all the buildup to the England v Argentina semi-final across the day, yet last night demands attention first. Spain reached the final after delivering, if not a total surprise, then an unexpected twist in a tournament that has sometimes seemed overly predictable. The preview for last night did not include France failing to appear as a likely turn of events.

Spain were dominant with and without the ball, thanks to their remarkable ability to retain possession, and they were anchored by outstanding midfield displays from Fabian Ruiz and Rodri. Every player performed well, and Pedro Porro, who scored the second goal, is emerging as an unexpected Spanish standout.

This sets up the chance of a Spain v England major final for the fourth straight summer, after the women's World Cup in 2023, men's Euros in 2024 and women's Euros last year. England still face a major task ahead.

Here is the key coverage from the match in Dallas: