By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
IF EXPERIENCES were the hall mark of a better team to advance to the next round of any competition, Les Bleues of France and The Selection of Argentina should just stroll to the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford USA on July 19 for the grande finale of the 2026 World Cup.
Patmos Media finding shows that France has the highest semifinal appearances among the four teams standing better than their semifinal opponent La Roja of Spain.
France has played 7 semifinal matches in history lost 3 and won 4. The three loses are 1958 to Brazil 2-5; 1982 on penalties to Germany 4-5 after 3-3 at full time and 0-2 to same German in 1986.
France had beaten Croatia 2-1 in 1998, beaten Portugal 1-0 in 2006; beaten Belgium 1-0 in 2018 and koboko Morocco 2-0 at the last tournament that you will think all France does is to call Teachers who can cane well to camp.
Their opponent on Tuesday in the 1st Semifinal, La Roja of Spain on paper stands no chance having played semifinal once before at South Africa 2010 which they won defeating Germany 1-0.
People are already shouting Argentina has been fixed to lift the cup back to back but do you know Argentina packs experiences more than England that prides herself as the CREATOR OF FOOTBALL? Argentina has played 5 semifinal matches and never lost at that stage.
The South Americans conquered USA 6-1 in 1930; blew off Belgium 2-0 in 1986; clipped Italy 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 at Full-time in 1990; docked the Dutch (Netherlands) 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating goalless Full-time in 2014 and crushed the Croatians 3-0 at the last 2022 World Cup.
The Three Lions their opponent on Wednesday at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta USA played 3 semifinal matches losing 2. In 1996 when they were still doing ‘shine shine bobo’ Portugal was nipped 2-1, they lost on penalties 3-4 after 1-1 at full time to West Germany in 1990 before the fall of the German wall and in 2018 they lost to Croatian resilience 2-1 after Extra time.
We await a repeat of the 1982 Falkland War between Argentina and England but that was won in 76 days by England. Will they finish devouring Argentina within 76 minutes?
So think of this Argentina versus England match. Are you even thinking on a Selah rate in Hebrew language what am thinking of a possible France Versus Argentina finals?
This is the third FIFA world cup that all the four semifinalists were former champions before.
Efforts to get mega star Lionel Messi to speak on his proposed Daniel like sojourn into the Lions Den proved abortive as he will be facing the Three Lions of England for the first time in his whole career. HMMM!
Nevertheless a total 100 matches have been played so far with 292 goals scored (an average of 2.92 goals per match) with a total 6,527,410 fans at the stands (an average of 65,274 attendances per match).
All the players lining up for the Golden Boot for Highest scorer, Silver Boot for next highest scorer and Bronze Boot are still standing. Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kylian Mbappe have 8 goals each; Ouch Erling Haaland with 7 goals has gone home; England duo of Jude Bellingham and Harry Keane have 6 goals each and there is Ousmane Dembele who may still spring surprises with increment of goals from the present 5 goals.
So far 18 red cards were given with South Africa collecting the highest of 3 and cannot be considered for the FAIR PLAY TROPHY. Unfortunately, we mourn Adams who played all their matches at this tournament and transited from the pitches to the grave in his country on Friday.
Paraguay bagged 2 red cards at the Mundial.
Breel Embolo became the 4th player on record to receive the 2nd yellow card for simulation in the world cup and the first since Asamoaj Gyan for Ghana against Brazil in 2006.
The world awaits Tuesday and Wednesday to see the Nations that will fall by the wayside to the epic final where American President will lead the Presentation ceremonies and present the trophy to the world champions.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #EUFA #CONMEBOL #CAF #AFA #CONCACAF
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