Spain secured their place in the World Cup final after a 2-0 victory over France in Dallas Stadium. The win means Spain will now face the winner of the semi-final match between England and Argentina. This triumph marks a significant moment for the Spanish squad, who demonstrated a strong collective performance against a French team featuring prominent players like Kylian Mbappé.
The Spanish team’s performance was characterised by their ability to maintain possession and their effective defensive strategies. They successfully neutralised France’s attacking threats, with Mbappé notably failing to register a shot on target. This result has been described as an unscripted moment in a tournament that has sometimes felt predictable.
Spain’s Dominant Performance
Spain’s victory was built on a masterful display both with and without the ball. Their midfield, anchored by players such as Fabián Ruiz and Rodri, delivered flawless performances, underpinning the team’s ability to control the game. Pedro Porro scored Spain’s second goal, contributing to what has been lauded as a complete victory.
The team’s approach, focusing on collective strength rather than individual superstars, has been a defining feature of their journey to the final. Head coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted the team’s continuous improvement throughout the tournament, emphasising effort, talent, and sacrifice. This win is his 13th in 14 major tournament games as head coach, following their European Championship success two years prior.
Spain’s tactical superiority was evident in their ability to circulate the ball with composure, creating openings and exploiting them. Their second goal, for instance, originated from a passing move that started deep in their own half. They have maintained an average of 64 per cent possession throughout the tournament and have made approximately 200 more passes in the final third than any other side.
Even when possession was roughly even against France, Spain’s effectiveness in regaining control was notable, winning the ball back on average in just under 12 seconds per play. This collective effort extended to their defensive work, where they operated as a choreographed unit, in contrast to France’s more individualistic defending.
Impact and Road Ahead
The win has generated considerable excitement in Spain, with euphoric celebrations reported in cities like Seville, Barcelona, and Madrid. King Felipe VI even contacted the team to express his pride and support. This collective spirit has been a hallmark of De la Fuente’s tenure, which began in 2022 after a decade with Spain’s U19 and U21 teams.
France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, acknowledged Spain’s collective intelligence and their ability to disrupt his team’s attacking channels. He reflected on his long tenure, which began in 2012, noting that while the moment was not happy, it was important to accept it in the context of other moments.
Spain’s journey through the tournament has been marked by a low-key but determined progression. An earlier 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in the opening game offered a false forecast of their potential, which was followed by a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Despite the presence of individual talents like Lamine Yamal, who won the penalty for Spain’s opener, the team’s collective power has been paramount.
Rodri’s performance, winning 11 of his 15 duels against France, further exemplified the technical and tactical qualities present across the Spanish midfield. The depth of the squad is also evident, with players like Martin Zubimendi and Pedri capable of stepping into key roles if needed, and Mikel Oyarzabal having scored five goals in the tournament.
The prospect of a Spain v England major tournament final for the fourth summer in a row is now a possibility, following previous encounters in the women’s World Cup in 2023, men’s Euros in 2024, and women’s Euros last year. However, England must first overcome Argentina in their semi-final match. The victor of that match will have approximately 72 hours to prepare for the final against Spain.
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Source: theguardian.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
