France or Spain: Who would England rather face? + Argentina preview

France faces Spain in a heavyweight World Cup semi-final, but which team would England rather meet if they overcome Argentina? Dotun and Amos Murphy break down the tactical battle between two of the tournament’s strongest teams. Can France’s explosive attackers finally punish Spain in transition? Will the fitness of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams decide the match? And could Rodri once again control an entire World Cup knockout game? We also preview England’s historic semi-final against Argentina. England possesses two players capable of producing something from nothing in Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, but Argentina could target one weakness that has followed Thomas Tuchel’s side throughout the tournament: defending set pieces. In this episode: • Why France may have learned from their recent defeats to Spain • Whether England would prefer France in the final • The fitness concerns surrounding Spain’s wingers • France’s defensive vulnerabilities • Why Mikel Merino has become Spain’s unlikely finisher • Rodri’s growing leadership role • How England can exploit Argentina out wide • The Kane and Bellingham advantage • England’s worrying set-piece weakness Who reaches the World Cup final: France or Spain? And can England finally overcome Argentina? Subscribe to Football Smash for daily World Cup analysis, previews, reactions and debates. #WorldCup2026 #FranceVsSpain #EnglandVsArgentina 00:00-01:57 Opening discussion 01:58-03:07 France vs Spain: who has the advantage? 03:08-07:08 Could Nico Williams transform Spain? 07:09-08:00 France and Spain’s game-changing substitutes 08:01-08:49 Who would England rather face? 08:50-14:53 How France can attack Spain 14:54-17:46 Do fresh squads win major tournaments? 17:47-22:23 France’s experience advantage 22:24-23:32 France’s defensive weaknesses 23:33-24:20 Is Mikel Merino Spain’s best finisher? 24:21-29:20 Could a set piece decide the semi-final? 29:21-32:25 Rodri vs France’s midfield 32:26-38:49 How France could disrupt Rodri 38:50-40:07 Why England should fear Argentina 40:08-41:13 How England can exploit Argentina 41:14-41:37 England’s Kane and Bellingham advantage 41:38-42:46 England’s set-piece Achilles heel 42:47-42:59 England must learn to finish teams