Rodri Holds Key to Stopping Kylian Mbappe in World Cup Semi-Final

Rodri and Lamine Yamal are the key players for Spain as they look to stop Kylian Mbappe and France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday. The Spanish side will aim to control possession and starve France of opportunities, while also creating moments to hurt them.

France are vying to become the third team to reach three successive World Cup finals, after Germany and Brazil, while European champions Spain prepare for just their second ever appearance in the last four. By official ranking, it's first vs third.

Spain's patient build-up has not always dazzled but its purpose has dual intentions. They come alive in the final third, the only nation to surpass 1,000 plus passes in the figurative 'end zone', with an unwavering accuracy of 83.9 per cent. And because they rarely give up possession, their defensive record is exemplary too. Defence by proxy.

Creatively, France are streets ahead. They are the tournament's second-highest scorers, posting the most shots on target and greatest expected-goals value. Captain and leading scorer Kylian Mbappe will be a major threat, but Spain have the ability to contain him. Rodri and Lamine Yamal will be crucial in this regard.

This European powerhouse affair is a particularly familiar one. Much like England-Argentina, it's a fixture with a charmed history. Enough to captivate most football-loving neutrals because, well, it also contains a high percentage of the world's best technicians and torturers. This cast are primetime viewing.

Spain's artistic expression has only been seen in flashes at this tournament. For a side packed with *los artistas*, their creative edge is yet to take full form, relying on rescue acts from substitute Mikel Merino to battle unconvincingly past Portugal and Belgium in the last two rounds. Lamine Yamal has been quiet and injury stifled winger Nico Williams only able to play a bit-part, while Mikel Oyarzabal's four goals (scored against Saudi Arabia and Austria) have come against significantly weaker opposition.

Nothing about such a high-stakes tie between European giants should be billed as a forgone conclusion. But Spain have special license. One that allows them to control and coerce unlike any other. They are better set up than any other survivor to ruin the narrative about France's inevitability.

The match will take place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Dallas stadium. The kick-off time is yet to be confirmed.

You can follow the match on the Sky Sports App, with live updates and analysis throughout the game. Don't miss out on the action!