Zlatan Ibrahimovic singled out one player after Spain beat France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday to reach the World Cup final.

The reigning European champions put in their best performance of the tournament to beat the favourites in convincing fashion. They took the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal’s 22nd-minute penalty after Lucas Digne had unintentionally kicked Lamine Yamal.

Spain controlled proceedings and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro added a second in the 58th minute. He produced a fine finish after a clever ball from Dani Olmo.

Ibrahimovic Hails ‘Magnificent’ Spain Star

REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Luis de la Fuente’s men haven’t quite been at their best until tonight, when they completely bossed a France side many expected to reach the final. Much of that was due to dominance in the middle of the park, which Ibrahimovic pointed out in his post-match analysis.

The legendary former Swedish striker hailed one of Spain’s men while speaking on FOX Sports: “I have to mention, Rodri was all over the place. What a game, what a player. He’s a player who doesn’t get a lot of credit, but this game he was everywhere. He was just magnificent. Football won today.”

Rodri came into the tournament after a somewhat frustrating season at Manchester City. A persistent hamstring problem took hold, and he was unable to help his side beat Arsenal to the Premier League title.

The 30-year-old has well and truly put his fitness struggles behind him, dominating in the middle of the park not just tonight but throughout Spain’s World Cup campaign. He’s played in each of their seven games thus far and would be a worthy winner of the Golden Ball after doing so at Euro 2024.

Pep Guardiola Predicted Rodri’s World Cup Revival

Rodri’s injury troubles had many questioning whether his best days were behind him amid unconvincing displays for City. Some envisioned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner returning to La Liga to join Real Madrid, who have long held an interest.

One person who stuck by the veteran midfielder was Pep Guardiola, who backed him to be back to his best come the World Cup. The former City boss said back in October (via ESPN):

“Rodri has been and is an outstanding player. Everybody knows it. But I said to Rodri, and maybe he struggled to understand: it’s not about six months or seven months [after the injury]. ‘Ah, [after] eight months I’ll play and be the Rodri of before’. No.”

Guardiola added: “Rodri will be good at the World Cup with Spain [next summer]. In the World Cup it will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri.”

Rodri’s performance against France proved Guardiola right, as he delivered a world-class display that City fans have enjoyed throughout his spell at the Etihad. He achieved an 87% pass accuracy, completed 15 carries, won all four of his aerial duels, both of his tackles and made two clearances.

Next up for Rodri is a first-ever World Cup final and the chance to add the one trophy evading his trophy cabinet. His Spain side will face either Argentina or England at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday.

With the 2026 World Cup final less than a week away, England will be desperate to make their first final since 1966. They don’t have any easy path to that point, however, with Argentina to come in the semi-final.

Not only are the South Americans a very good team, having won the FIFA tournament in 2022, but there is also a great deal of history between the teams, which will only add to the occasion. Infamously, Diego Maradona scored his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 quarter-finals, while David Beckham also picked up a red card against the same country as the Three Lions crashed out of the 1998 World Cup.

Add the 1982 Falklands War into the mix – which means English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been banned from officiating Lionel Messi’s side this summer – and it’s not hard to see why the semi-final could be a fiery affair. Perhaps adding fuel to the flames, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named three Argentines who aren’t as hard as they make out to be.

Scholes Discusses Former Argentina Teammates at Man Utd

Scholes played 66 times for England – starting that notable 1998 World Cup loss against Argentina – but opted to retire early in 2004 to focus on his club football with Manchester United. At Old Trafford, he was one of the all-time great Premier League midfielders, winning the English top flight 11 times.

During his time with the Red Devils, he got to play alongside some quality Argentinian players such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football about his time spent with South American stars, he praised their personalities, but claimed the trio were ‘pussycats’ really:

Joe Cole Makes Bold Argentina World Cup Claim

Joe Cole looks on as a TV pundit via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

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Scholes isn’t the only former England player to risk antagonising the Argentines ahead of the semi-final. Indeed, 2006 World Cup star Joe Cole has confidently claimed the Three Lions will send Messi packing. He said this week:

“We will have to put Lionel Messi to bed. We’re going to put him to bed.” Before adding: “We are, 100 per cent. I’m saying it now, England are going to the World Cup final, we’ve got too much pace for Argentina and we’re going to beat them, I feel it in my bones!”

With all that history between the two nations, plus plenty of eye-catching comments in the media from the likes of Scholes and Cole, sparks could fly when they meet at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.

Spain are through to the World Cup final and Lamine Yamal has made clear who he wants to be victorious when Argentina meet England in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Yamal and La Roja beat tournament favourites France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium to book their place in the final at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey in East Rutherford. It’s just the second time the Spaniards have reached the biggest game in international football and they will be hoping for a repeat of their 2010 triumph.

A Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and Pedro Porro’s fine finish saw off the French and ensured there will be no replay of the 2022 final. Yamal wasn’t on the scoresheet but he played his part in an impressive victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side.

Who Yamal Wants to Face in World Cup Final

Heiko Becker Via Reuters

Spain could face England in a repeat of the Euro 2024 final, which they won 2-1, but there’s also a chance of seeing Yamal take on one of his footballing idols. For most Barcelona fans, it’s a dream to see their new superstar take on arguably the greatest player of all-time.

Yamal said ahead of his nation’s win on Tuesday (via Fabrizio Romano): “Facing Leo Messi in a World Cup final would be fantastic. I hope so!”

For that to happen, Argentina must beat England at Atlanta Stadium and it’s a tough one to call. Lionel Messi is firing on all cylinders and sits on eight goals in six games ahead of the semi-final.

Messi has never played against Yamal in competitive football, and it’s a story that writes itself. The 19-year-old Barca attacker hasn’t quite been at his best during the World Cup but will relish the chance to battle his idol in the biggest showpiece in world football.

Yamal Missed Out on Facing His Idol

Brett Davis (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

There are many interesting subplots that will ensue no matter whom Spain face in Sunday’s final. If it’s England, Yamal comes up against his new Barca teammate, Anthony Gordon, and his former Catalan ally, Marcus Rashford.

If it’s Argentina, he has the chance to prove he is Messi’s heir, both for the Blaugrana and on the international stage. But he won’t get the chance to ever face his idol Neymar, who bowed out of international football after Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16.

Yamal previously revealed that he looked up to Neymar despite acknowledging Messi as the greatest player of all-time. He said: “Obviously, my idol is Neymar because I like watching him play, but Messi is the best, and there is no discussion about that.”

Neymar earned a surprise call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the World Cup but was handed a bit-part role. He wasn’t one of the superstars who have stepped up for their countries, including Jude Bellingham, who could fire England to a final and come up against his El Clasico rival.