​Over two solitary days, the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup served up some amazing (and shocking) results. First Spain shocked France with a footballing masterclass, sending the 2018 champions crashing out with a 2-0 loss. Then came Argentina and their heroic comeback win against England.Here are our awards from this penultimate round of games in the FIFA World Cup:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDani Olmo (Spain) Lamine Yamal is probably Spain’s most lethal attacker, but Olmo was their man of the moment against France. Graceful and stylish, his flair complemented the defensively robust Spanish gameplan and helped unlock the French defense.Just watch him on the second goal. His assist to Pedro Porro to make it 2-0 is an example of the exquisite team play the Spaniards showed on Tuesday night.Honorable mentions: Lamine Yamal (Spain), Anthony Gordon (England) Rodri (Spain) France lost the midfield battle, which was THE major factor in their downfall. Despite all their prodigious attacking talent, the French could not get the ball to their attacking players in dangerous positions. That is why they were largely helpless to do anything against Spain.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNone of that happens without Rodri. Everyone may agree he isn’t the same player he was when he won the Ballon d’Or, but the Manchester City star remains one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Positionally disciplined and possessing excellent passing range, Rodri almost singlehandedly dominated a French midfield of Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni.His performance was at the very core of the Spanish victory.Honorable mentions: Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) Marc Cucurella (Spain)Bradley Barcola is a pretty talented guy, but Marc Cucurella made him look like an amateur. It is a mystery how he manages to balance defensive duties while still bombing forward in every single attack. If there was ever any doubt, Cucurella is cementing himself as one of the best fullbacks in the world right now. His World Cup so far has been nothing short of exceptional.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe entire Spanish defense really deserves a shoutout here. They made life hell for the most lethal attack in international football. Absolute masterclass.Honorable mentions: Pau Cubarsí (Spain), Aymeric Laporte (Spain) Jordan Pickford (England) The only player in these awards from a country that didn’t win. The only reason England kept a lead as long as they did is because Jordan Pickford stepped up and made some clutch saves. His intervention to keep out the Nico González header in the 68th minute was truly exceptional. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as England succumbed to relentless Argentine pressure and folded in the dying minutes of the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHonorable mentions: The other keepers didn’t have much to do. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) Originally it was Lamine Yamal here, because, to be honest, there