Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semi-final held in Dallas, earning their place in Sunday’s final. The win means Spain will face either England or Argentina in the championship match. France, with Malo Gusto as an unused substitute, saw their World Cup campaign end in Texas.
The match highlighted Spain’s collective strength, a theme emphasized by head coach Luis de la Fuente. He stated that his players deserved to be in the final due to their “effort, talent, sacrifice,” and their commitment to “trying to be a better version of ourselves.” De la Fuente also noted that the team has “recaptured the spirit of 2010” and that the character of the squad was evident in players who did not participate in the match remaining to train afterwards.
Spain’s tactical approach effectively neutralised France’s formidable attack, which included players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue. Despite the focus on France’s individual attacking talent leading up to the semi-final, their threat was largely contained. Spain’s head coach remarked that his team faced “the best team in the world,” referring to his own squad’s performance.
The first goal for Spain came from a penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal, awarded after a foul on Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro then sealed the victory with a confident finish, following a fluid passing move that originated deep within their own half. This second goal exemplified Spain’s ability to dismantle France’s defence through intricate play.
Spain’s dominance was evident in various aspects of the game. They maintained an average of 64 per cent possession throughout the tournament and executed approximately 200 more passes in the final third than any other team. Their capacity to control the game, both with and without the ball, proved to be a significant factor. While possession was relatively even against France, the difference lay in how each team utilised it and their efforts off the ball.
Football analysts Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane commented on Spain’s performance. Vieira noted that Spain “dominated the game in every single aspect” and that their forward players worked diligently to prevent French players from getting on the ball. Keane highlighted Spain’s defensive work, stating that they “won the game because of out of possession today” and that their play involved working “in packs” with “intensity and purpose.”
France’s attacking players, including Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise, struggled to find shooting opportunities and were consistently met by Spanish defenders like Marc Cucurella. This defensive solidity contributed to the frustration of France’s star players.
While Spain possesses individual talent, such as Lamine Yamal, who earned the penalty for the opening goal, their success is attributed to their collective strength. Yamal, at 19 years old, has scored once in seven games, indicating that Spain’s reliance is not solely on individual brilliance. This contrasts with teams like France and Argentina, where the impact of players like Mbappe and Lionel Messi is more pronounced.
Rodri has been a standout performer for Spain, demonstrating his quality in midfield by winning 11 of his 15 duels against France. His technical and tactical abilities are mirrored by other midfielders in the squad, such as Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, and Fabian Ruiz, who have all contributed effectively when called upon. Upfront, Mikel Oyarzabal has scored five goals, with Ferran Torres also proving to be a capable option.
The collective buy-in extends to players like Mikel Merino, who has consistently made an impact from the bench. This depth and team-oriented approach have positioned Spain as a strong contender in the tournament, potentially making them the most likely winners in what has been described as a “World Cup of superstars.”
Malo Gusto, who made four appearances off the bench during the tournament, will now hope to feature in the third-place play-off scheduled for Saturday.
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Source: bbc.com
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”