Two of the most contrasting scenes of the FIFA World Cup unfolded within the space of just 24 hours.

Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final in New Jersey.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Spain was particularly painful because of the manner in which it came.

Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas on Tuesday, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

France recalled Bradley Barcola to their attack and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield for their World Cup semifinal against Spain on Wednesday as Luis de la Fuente named an unchanged side.

Lamine Yamal turned 19 on Monday with diamonds around his neck, mischief in the family and the biggest match of his life ahead but the Spain forward's clearest message before the World Cup semi-final against France was not about goals, gifts or fame.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team plan to go on the "front foot" against World Cup favourites France when they face off in a heavyweight semi-final showdown on Tuesday.

Sport thrives on uncertainty. Fans cherish the underdogs who topple heavyweights. But while upsets are priceless for supporters, they can be painfully expensive for those who stage them.

Mbappe became the youngest player to reach 20 World Cup appearances at the age of 27 and also equalled Hugo Lloris' French record for matches played at the tournament.

France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.

During the 1982 World Cup, a 22-year-old Diego Maradona was beginning to reveal the extraordinary talent that would eventually make him one of football's greatest players. Standing in his way was Italy centre-back Claudio Gentile -- ironically anything but gentle.

Didier Deschamps feared that Kylian Mbappe would be "chopped down" by Paraguay in Saturday's ill-tempered clash in Philadelphia, which saw France advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Their win was less a showcase of French elegance than a survival exercise, with Kylian Mbappe's penalty finally settling an ill-tempered contest that Paraguay had dragged into their preferred territory of physical confrontation and tactical disruption.

The inaugural Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup delivered on every front. There were shocks and surprises, thrilling comebacks, heartbreaking exits and the fall of several giants.

Top favourites France will be eyeing a place in the quarterfinals as they take on Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at Philadelphia Stadium tonight.

The nerve-wracking Round of 32 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Saturday morning with defending champions Argentina, Colombia and Egypt clinching the final three berths in the Round of 16.

Sweden have embraced their underdog status ahead of tonight's World Cup Round of 32 clash with France in New Jersey, insisting the pressure rests firmly on the 2018 champions.

With Argentina beating Jordan 3-1 and Algeria and Austria playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the final Group J matches, the group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Sunday.

Following a hectic 17-day schedule featuring 72 group-stage matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally entering its business end, as hosts Canada take on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium tonight. 

Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, one of the most anticipated storylines was the race to break Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record.