Big stars and old rivals - wetin to expect for di World Cup semi-finals

Di World Cup continue to dey deliver drama and unforgettable moments, and di field don come down now to just four nations as di competition enta into di semi-finals.

France, Spain, England and Argentina dey just two wins away from di world title and di margin for error now dey almost non-existent bicos na place for di final dey at stake.

So wetin we suppose look forward to for di last-four matches? Dis na your guide to di World Cup semi-finals.

Mbappe v Yamal - European heavyweights go head-to-head

France v Spain, Dallas Stadium, Tuesday 8:00 PM

Wetin to watch out for: Wit two of Europe strongest squads going up against each other, dis fixture get all d ingredients to become World Cup classic.

Kylian Mbappe bin dominate di headlines again as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach di semi-finals, as e take im tally to eight goals for di tournament and move just one goal behind Lionel Messi for di race to bicom di World Cup all-time highest goal scorer.

But France biggest strength na dia quality across di pitch, wit Ousmane Dembele making sure of di quarter-final victory and take im own tally to five goals.

Michael Olise also dey provide di creative spark for Didier Deschamp side and na im dey lead di competition wit five assists.

Dat depth fit prove vital for di two-time winners against dis Spain side, wey bin beat dem 2-1 for di semi-finals on dia way to winning di Euros for 2024.

Many ppo feel say Spain neva play dia best football so far for dis World Cup.

Dia star attraction Lamine Yamal neva truly announce imsef for di World Cup. Di Barcelona winger don score only once - against Saudi Arabia for di group stage.

Mikel Oyarzabal, wey don score four goals so far, no too shine for di last two matches, and Luis de la Fuente side bin score late goals from substitute Mikel Merino to fit make am past both Portugal and Belgium for di knockout rounds.

As dem dey look to add to dia 2010 triumph, Spain go hope say Yamal - wey go turn 19 a day bifor di semi-final match - go use dat opportunity to deliver di performance wey justify im talent.

Key statistics: France go play for dia eighth World Cup semi-final, equalling Brazil. Na only Germany don play more (12).

Spain dey on di longest unbeaten run for dia history as dem neva lose any game for dia last 36 matches. Di last time dem lose na 1-0 against Colombia for March 2024. Dem don win 27 and draw nine of dia matches within dat period.

Dis go be just di second World Cup meeting between di sides. France bin come from behind to win 3-1 wen dem meet for di last 16 for 2006.

Renewed rivalry - old 'enemies' meet

England v Argentina, Atlanta Stadium, Wednesday 8:00 PM

Wetin to watch out for: Dis go be di second World Cup semi-final for England since 2018, but defending champions Argentina stand for dia way to prevent dem from dia first World Cup final for di last 60 years.

Dis na match wey get plenti passion and rivalry, as e dey come 40 years afta Diego Maradona almost single-handedly comot England for di quarter-final stage in Mexico.

Dis time, Argentina get anoda superstar number 10 for dia team. Lionel Messi neva face England bifor, and e no get any bigger stage to do so for di first time dan for World Cup semi-final.

Messi don bicom di all-time highest goal scorer for di World Cup for dis tournament, and na im dey currently lead di race for di Golden Boot, togeda wit Kylian Mbappe of France, both on eight goals.

But England get dia own iconic 10, Jude Bellingham, wey don score two goals each for dia last two knockout games - di first player to achieve such a feat since Maradona for 1986. And captain Harry Kane dey level wit im team-mate on six goals so far dis summer.

Both England and Argentina neva really play dia free-flowing football so far for dis World Cup, and na battle and management dem take win dia knockout games to reach dis point.

E no go be surprise to see dia Wednesday meeting also reduced to battle of passionate wills, even though Thomas Tuchel don demand make im side show more quality dan dem do for di quarter-final win ova Norway.

Key statistics: England don reach di semi-finals for four major tournaments since 2018 - as many as dem reach for dia history bifor di 2018 World Cup.

Di Three Lions don win four consecutive World Cup games, dia longest winning run inside one single edition since 1966.

Tuchel na only di second England manager to go unbeaten for im first six World Cup games in charge - di oda pesin na Alf Ramsey for 1966, wey get di exact same record afta six matches (win five, draw one).

Argentina don reach di World Cup last four for di third time for di past four editions - 2014, 2022, 2026. Bifor 2014, Dem neva reach di semi-final since 1990.