- France vs. Spain in Dallas: France chases a third straight World Cup final while Spain seeks its first final since 2010 — a heavyweight semifinal to spark big-game chat.
- Players to watch: Kylian Mbappé is hunting the Golden Boot/Golden Ball, while Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal have been carrying La Roja’s attack.
- Referee storyline: El Salvador’s Iván Barton will officiate — he’s already drawn attention this tournament after a previous high-profile red card decision, so officiating could be a talking point.
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- Mets limped into the All‑Star break 40‑57 — their worst first half in 31 years and 17 games under .500 in a full season.
- Injuries and roster turnover (trades of Nimmo and McNeil, Alonso and Díaz gone) have left a patchwork lineup — opening‑day regulars have missed 259 games combined.
- A costly Lindor error and his ongoing slump underscored the struggles; Juan Soto was the lone All‑Star as the team vows to fight starting a brutal 19‑game stretch vs. playoff teams.
- For the first time ever the World Cup semifinals feature FIFA’s top four teams — France, Argentina, Spain and England — promising classic matchups and big-name clashes.
- The stars are irresistible: 39-year-old Messi chasing back-to-back titles and tied with Mbappé for the Golden Boot, while England has Bellingham and Kane and Spain boasts teen phenom Lamine Yamal.
- Semifinal storylines sizzle — France vs. Spain is a Euro rematch, England vs. Argentina reignites a heated rivalry (Argentina lead 2-0 in WC knockouts), and England still chases its first title in 60 years.
- Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois are uncertain about their Belgium futures after the World Cup exit to Spain.
- De Bruyne, 35, says he needs a break after tough seasons and hamstring surgery — he hasn’t ruled out returning.
- Courtois (Real Madrid) may take a year off from the Nations League and will discuss his international future with the coach and federation.
- A 26-man "All-Star team of the century" was put together using only first-half performances since 2000 — it mixes household names with a few surprising snubs.
- Jaw-dropping first halves highlighted include Barry Bonds’ 2001 (.305/.487/.826 with 39 HR by the break), Aaron Judge’s 2025 Triple-Crown pace, and Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 2023 41 HR/73 SB season.
- The list also celebrates historic pitching and two-way feats (Pedro Martínez’s record ERA+, Randy Johnson’s dominant 2000, Shohei Ohtani’s 2023 two-way stretch) — and calls out deserving misses like Travis Hafner.
- Kane says Tuchel’s harsh words are meant to “drag out” England’s best — insisting the manager wants training-ground quality to show up on matchdays.
- Jude Bellingham brushed off the criticism; he and Kane now sit on six World Cup goals each, chasing Messi, Mbappé and Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
- England are into the semi with Argentina but worries remain over consistency, pressing issues and hitting a full 90‑minute peak before the big Atlanta clash.
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