Four ex-world champions reach semis in a 36-year first

For the first time in 36 years, the World Cup semifinals will feature four former champions, with France facing Spain on Tuesday in Dallas and England taking on Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta.

It also marks the first time the top four FIFA-ranked teams have reached the semifinals of a World Cup together.

England and Argentina booked their places on Sunday, with the former edging Norway 2-1 and the latter beating a 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the extra time.

Earlier, France defeated Morocco 2-0 and Spain overcame Belgium 1-0 to reach the last four.

This is only the third occasion four former champions have reached the semifinals.

The last such semifinal lineup came in 1990 in Italy, where three-time champions Italy lost on penalties to Argentina, and West Germany beat England on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

France and Spain meet again in Dallas, repeating last year's UEFA Nations League semifinal, when Spain led 5-1 before France fought back, eventually losing 5-4 in Stuttgart.

The Atlanta semifinal continues a rivalry dating back to 1962, when England won 3-1 in the group stage.

Former Argentine midfielder Antonio Rattin, who died on Saturday aged 89, was central to the rivalry's early history, sent off in the 1966 quarterfinals for insulting opponents.

Leaving the field, Rattin crumpled the corner flag bearing British colours and sat on a red carpet meant for Queen Elizabeth II, sparking further English protests.

The 1986 quarterfinal in Mexico, the first meeting since the Falklands War, produced one of football's most iconic matches.

Argentina won 2-1 through two remarkable Maradona goals: the handball that beat goalkeeper Peter Shilton, and a dazzling solo run past five England players.

The teams met again in the 1998 Round of 16, with Argentina winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Their most recent World Cup meeting came in 2002, when England won 1-0 in the second round of Group F.