Ultimate Performance - Round of Semi-Finals World Cup 2026 | SIFC

Welcome everybody. This is Sports Illustrated Football Club. Finally, we have the World Cup. Finally, Spain versus Argentina. Messi versus Yamal. I'm Alessandro Rimitti and I'm here to take a look back to the semifinals. What a great performances, both from a team and individuals. I'm here with Dan Valdemolen, Gino Goniello. Gino, I'm gonna start with you. How are we? Well, I'm doing really well. I mean, obviously we watched two great games. Obviously, just watched that Argentina-England Classic and you know, nothing better than great football, right? Wow. Did you enjoy it? Oh, the best. Dan? Ah, it was brilliant. I feel a bit sad for friends and family back home, but what a game of football. Yeah, it was unbelievable, wasn't it? Wow. Yeah, two great games of football. But now, as always guys, it's time to give me your nominees because we have Spain, we have Argentina, we have Messi, we have even Yamal, if you want, but who are your picks for the semifinal, Gino? I think if we're going team performance first, I'm going to go with Argentina. Obviously, they go down 1-0, but nothing new to them, right? They've done an all-tournament and they showed why they are in the final, you know, an absolutely unbelievable performance. Messi putting on another masterclass, terrific stuff from Argentina. Dan, what's your pick? I was so close to doing the same. I'm glad we've got something different this week, Gino. Argentina were fantastic today. But for me, France were the team everybody in this tournament were fearing. They were head and shoulders above the rest, like we've said a few times in this series. Spain made them look completely average. Spain's performance was an absolute masterclass and they deserve the accolade of the top performers. Now, I agree with you Dan on Spain. Guys, it's time to pick your players of the round. Gino. Yeah, I mean, I think we'll flip-flop here, Dan. I'm going to go with Rodri as my performance, player performance of the round. He bossed that midfield like no one else, you know, we make comparisons to Busquets. He has been unbelievable all tournament. This was his standout performance. I'm going with him. An absolute masterclass. Dan? I am going with Lionel Messi because, oh my God, once again, how many times is this little guy going to do this? England were 1-0 up. They looked like they were hanging on like they have done against Mexico and in previous games in this tournament. Lionel Messi decided, hey, I'm going to take this game by the scruff of the neck. This isn't happening on my watch and he turned that game. Lionel Messi, what more do we say? You are my top performer. Messi, Messi, Messi, but in this case, I want to go with Gino. I'm going to give it to Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, an absolute leader of the Spanish team. Now, it's time for the final. Spain or Argentina? Who are going to be the next world champion?