A prince and his court spoil Mbappe's coronation, as Yamal and Spain one win from reaching new echelon

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — It was supposed to be the last step before a coronation for a French king, but Spain's collective had other ideas. France's dreams of a third-straight World Cup and a second title in nine years are done, death by a thousand cuts — or passes — and Kylian Mbappe will not be inspiring international GOAT debates for at least a bit longer. MORE — France vs Spain live updates, reaction, video highlights That's how quickly a tournament can change storylines. France entered the game as unquestioned favorites and Spain eliminated them from a third-straight tournament. Attention will turn to the prince — Lamine Yamal just turned 19 on Monday — but this was about the team. Spain is daring its fans to dream of a second dynastic run this century. ‘Dictator’ Mbappe remains French royalty but just among the goats A number of fans wore shirts adorned with the Mbappe "dictator" meme, and one fan even wore a France #10 shirt with "Dictator" above the number. The fierce competitor is likely to stand alone as the World Cup's all-time leading goal scorer one day and he's drawn comparisons to the very best to ever do it in a French shirt: Thierry Henry, Michel Platini, and Zinedine Zidane. And at his relatively tender age, another World Cup win would dare fans to call him the very best. "If France win the World Cup this year, I think he'll be the greatest player ever for the World Cup," said Hugo Naulot, a Normandy-born fan who now lives in California. "So I think he has the chance to become the best World Cup player ever this summer. "And he's only 27. He's up there. He's won a World Cup and been a vice champion. If you're talking performance for his country, he's probably the best of all-time." Nicholas Theodorowicz is the son of a Frenchman from Arizona and says a World Cup win would do it — and that elders like his father wouldn't debate that. "Absolutely," Theodorowicz said. "He's so close to breaking the all-time goal record and if he wins this, he's already got it." Mbappe's eight goals in this semifinal run are another sparkling bit for his resume, and he's no doubt a living legend despite being two years and five months from his 30s. Yet this season saw a countryman — Ousmane Dembele — beat him to a first Ballon d'Or and La Liga's crown. And neither will win the World Cup despite status as the most talented, deepest team in the world. ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 14: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France and Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain look on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images Lamine Yamal having his moments but Spain are having a month Yamal won a penalty a day after his birthday and some will call it a belated gift as he was kicked by Lucas Digne in the box. He's an incredible player despite not having a starring role in this tournament, but stats show a player who hadn't been getting the rub of the green. Yamal has just one goal — and it came early in this World Cup, but his 2.8 xG+xA trails only Mikel Oyarzabal on Spain. It's fitting, however, that Spain team that perhaps has flown under the radar due to its national history is one win from going back-to-back EURO and World Cup... again. Ask Spanish fans about whether they are getting enough respect, especially after going EURO-World Cup-EURO between 2008 and 2012, and they'll tell you to cool off. In fact, the loudest non-goal eruption of the day came in the 86th minute, when the camera shot to a suite showing Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi Hernandez, and Iker Casillas enjoying the proceedings. "It's not like 16 years ago," said Alvaro Reynoso, from Rioja. "The team is very good and improving, playing better and better. [But] they are not comparable. That team individually was strong but this team collectively is. They know how to compete. They've won EURO and the Nations League. They will compete." So, I asked Reynoso and his friend, Pablo Varona of Santander, who stands out from the collective. And Varona said one name many times. "Oh, Yamal! Lamine, Lamine, for sure , Lamine. Lamine," he gushed. "He's barely 19 years old. Won the EURO, second in the Ballon d'Or. He is one [of one]." ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 14: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera inside of the goal.) Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain scores a goal past Mike Maignan #16 of France that was disallowed due to an offside violation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Getty Images