New Delhi, July 14 -- Every once in a while, an international tournament throws up the prospect of a perfect contest. Not for the drama of the characters like Maradona (1986), Ronaldo Nazario ('98) or Zidane ('06). Or even the kind of needle that an Argentina-England encounter carries-although that is fun, too. No, this contest is perfect for purely footballing reasons.

The France-Spain semi-final tonight is one for the ages. Years from now, it will come up in football conversations, becoming a point of reference, even if it does not produce much drama and ends tamely. The basics are obvious: the best attack of this World Cup, against the best defence. An unstoppable force against an immovable object. This match-up, though, also rides on...