France vs. Spain player ratings: Live grades for Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal

France vs. Spain player ratings: Live grades for Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, others in 2026 World Cup semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Two of the most dominant sides at the 2026 FIFA World Cup meet in the semifinals as 2018 champions and 2022 finalists France take on 2010 winners Spain in Arlington on Tuesday.

Les Bleus have been by far the most impressive team at the World Cup so far, blowing out opponents with regularity while other top sides have struggled to dispatch inferior opponents.

Spain, meanwhile, are just two years off winning the European Championship, in which they defeated France in the semifinal of that tournament en route to their title. They also emerged victorious from an all-time classic the last time these two teams met, a thrilling 5-4 La Roja victory in the UEFA Nations League semifinal last summer.

The Sporting News brings you a full list of live player ratings for the match, analyzing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

LIVE:Follow France vs. Spain updates from 2026 World Cup semifinal

France vs. Spain live score

Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Referee: Ivan Barton (HON)

France starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 16. M. Maignan (GK) — 5. J. Kounda, 4. D. Upamecano, 17. W. Saliba (Lacroix, 30'), 3. L. Digne — 8. A. Tchouameni, 14. A. Rabiot — 7. O. Dembele, 11. M. Olise, 12. B. Barcola — 10. K. Mbappe

Spain starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 23. U. Simon (GK) — 12. P. Porro, 22. P. Cubarsi, 14. A. Laporte, 24. M. Cucurella — 16. Rodri, 8. F. Ruiz — 19. Lamine Yamal, 10. D. Olmo, 15. A. Baena — 21. M. Oyarzabal

MORE:A tactical preview of France vs. Spain

France player ratings vs. Spain

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignon — 6

Dove to the correct side on Mikel Oyarzabal's early penalty, but still couldn't reach it. His distribution for the most part was good, and he commanded his penalty area well.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Jules Kounde — 7

Despite the lack of possessional dominance for France, Kounde was heavily involved in many of their movements, getting high up the pitch to help move the ball forward.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: Dayot Upamecano — 7

Excellent defending Spain's attacking possession through the first half, especially with a key block on a shot by Fabian Ruiz in the 38th minute which deflected the ball just wide at the last possible moment.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: William Saliba — N/A

With only 10 touches through the first 30 minutes, Saliba's back completely gave out on the half-hour mark, and he was forced to come off.

Left-back: Lucas Digne — 4

Conceded a complete disaster of a penalty, as he let the ball bounce over his head on a switch to Lamine Yamal, and completely whiffed on his clearance, kicking the young Spain winger right in the quad instead. Struggled to deal with Lamine all first half.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Aurelien Tchouameni — 7

A possessional machine for France to help them keep the ball as much as they could. Unable to control the midfield all on his own, as he was numerically overwhelmed, but managed to help France maintain possession as well as he could.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Adrien Rabiot — 6

Got his match started with a wayward forward pass out of play just a minute into the game, reminiscent of his spotty distribution this tournament. His defending was on point minutes later, however, when he bodied Lamine Yamal off the ball while riding the line of a foul well, not drawing the referee's whistle.

Gave away a foul just on top of the penalty area eight minutes in with a foul on Dani Olmo, booked for the challenge as he won the ball but followed through and stamped on Olmo's foot.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right winger: Ousmane Dembele — 5

Fed on scraps early on with France playing on the counter. Wasted a free kick in the 31st minute as he fed it right to the goalkeeper. Struggled to make an impact in the first half overall.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Attacking midfielder: Michael Olise — 6

Worked very hard in transition trying to get Kylian Mbappe involved, but his early efforts in that regard were rebuffed by Spain. A lot of what Olise did in the first half didn't work, but you could see the wheels turning, and given more time you could see it being effective.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left winger: Bradley Barcola — 6

A good start to the match as he won the game's first corner five minutes in as he gets on the end of a good France counter-attack. Only had 15 touches in the first half but they all came in dangerous areas as he was heavily involved in transitions.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Striker: Kylian Mbappe — 5

Ran a brilliant counter-attack one-on-three in the 16th minute to keep France involved when it appeared their transitional opportunity had evaporated before it began.

From there, however, it faded for Mbappe as he struggled to link up with teammates. Was stonewalled twice by Pau Cubarsi in dribbles at the top corner of the penalty area. Did not have a single shot in the first half.

Kylian Mbappé’s take-ons in the first half vs. Spain:

Successful
Tackled
Tacked
Tackled
Tackled

Struggled so far. 👀 pic.twitter.com/dugIHiOyOK

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 14, 2026

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

France substitutes vs. Spain

30th min — Maxence Lacroix: 6

Came on after a half-hour for an injured William Saliba. Had heavy involvement in possession once he entered, with 22 touches in just 15 minutes of play at the end of the first half.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

France coach vs. Spain

Didier Deschamps: Grade pending

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.

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Spain player ratings vs. France

Starters

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon — 5

His distribution in the quarterfinal was poor, and he was wayward early in this one too, feeding his first long delivery right to a French player on the edge of the attacking third. Finished the first half 1-of-7 on long balls as he continued to give possession away every time he was forced to kick it deep.

He completely flubbed a set-piece situation in the Spain penalty area, not communicating with Mikel Oyarzabal on a clearance as he tried to catch it and had the ball headed out of his grasp by his teammate.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Pedro Porro — 8

Didn't get nearly as high up the field as he did against Belgium, but still had a quality first half with good possessional control on the wing and three defensive contributions too, and winning both his aerial duels.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: Pau Cubarsi — 8

Had a great start to the game getting back in transition to cover while France counter-attacked. Defending while tracking back in space is Cubarsi's biggest strength, which is why he has been such a consistent presence in Hansi Flick's high line at Barcelona, and it showed here as he was the perfect defender to keep Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe in check.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: Aymeric Laporte — 8

Made a fantastic early block in the eighth minute to prevent Michael Olise playing Kylian Mbappe in behind. Had the most touches of any player in the first half, and he was a monster defensively as well, logging a very strong first 45 minutes.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella — Grade pending

Was very active on the left, but didn't receive the ball as often as he would like as Spain were conservative in possession. Found himself harshly booked on the half-hour mark for shoving Michael Olise off the ball.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Rodri — Grade pending

With Fabian Ruiz distributing possession forward, Rodri was free to focus on static possession and stopping French counter-attacks. It was an effective strategy, and held France in check.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Fabian Ruiz — Grade pending

Ruiz was poor overall in the quarterfinal against Belgium, but started over Pedri again here and was better. He was central to Spain's midfield dominance, distributing the ball all over the field. This allowed Rodri to focus more on stopping France counter-attacks, which he did effectively as well.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right winger: Lamine Yamal — Grade pending

Lamine had great foresight to make a challenge on the ball and win the early penalty on the kick from Lucas Digne. He collected just 18 touches in the first half, doing so without attempting a single take-on, but still caused lots of problems with his movement and combination.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Attacking midfielder: Dani Olmo — Grade pending

Combined beautifully with teammates in the attacking third over and over again. He lost four of his first six ground duels in the game, but continued to test the France back line repeatedly. Nearly unlocked the French when he played in Lamine Yamal in the 38th minute that resulted in Fabian Ruiz's miss.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Center forward: Mikel Oyarzabal — Grade pending

Took a fabulous penalty to open the scoring in the match. Kylian Mbappe pointed in the direction he was going, and Mike Maignan still couldn't get there.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left wing: Alex Baena — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Spain substitutes vs. France

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

Spain coach vs. France

Luis de la Fuente: 8

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.