Mbappé's 17-1-0 record and a Spain semi-final for the ages

Mbappé's staggering World Cup record holds

France are 17 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats in World Cup matches Kylian Mbappé has started. The only blemish: the 2022 final against Argentina, which went to penalties and counts as a draw. Across three tournaments. That is the kind of number that makes opponents talk before they even kick off.

Yamal: France should fear us

Spain beat Belgium 2–1 to reach the semi-finals. Lamine Yamal was asked about facing France and did not hold back. "I think that if France has to fear anyone, it's us… as we're the ones who have knocked them out before." Spain eliminated France from Euro 2024 in the semi-finals. Yamal, still 18, sounds ready for another chapter.

Spain–France: the highest-rated match ever

The semi-final between Spain and France will be the highest-rated international match in football history based on combined Elo ratings. Spain enter at 2190, France at 2163. Combined 4353, topping the 1954 World Cup final between Hungary and West Germany. The numbers back up what everyone feels: this is the game of the tournament so far.

Fan reactions

French supporters are leaning hard into the Mbappé record. The 17-1-0 stat is everywhere on Reddit, shared with a mix of pride and disbelief. Spain's arrival in the semi-finals has also lit up the forums: fans are already bracing for the biggest international match in Elo history. The thread that captured the mood.