Spain’s dominant performance
Spain secured a place in their World Cup final after a commanding performance against France in Dallas. The match, which saw Spain emerge with a 2-0 victory, left many observers surprised by France’s inability to counter their opponents’ strategy. Spain, who are also the reigning European champions, extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches, equalling a record in international football.
Despite entering the semi-final as favourites, France struggled to create opportunities, managing only three attempts on target. Spain’s control of the midfield was a key factor in their success, effectively neutralising France’s attacking threats, including players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton noted that Spain “swatted aside by silky Spain,” highlighting their superior collective play.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, has guided the team to the World Cup final after previously leading them to a Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory. His appointment in December 2022 was initially met with some scepticism, given his background with the nation’s youth teams, but he has since delivered significant results.
Key moments and player contributions
Spain’s goals came from Mikel Oyarzabal, who converted a penalty, and Pedro Porro, who scored with a well-placed finish. These were Spain’s only two attempts on target in the match. Porro’s goal was particularly notable, sending his country to their first World Cup final since 2010.
The penalty, which led to Spain’s opening goal, was conceded by Lucas Digne after a foul on Lamine Yamal. Yamal, a teenage player, has been a significant presence for Spain, and has never lost a game for the national team. He has also started combined games at the World Cup and Euros, winning all of them.
Spain’s defensive solidity was also a major factor, as they kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches at this World Cup, a record for any team in the competition’s history. Goalkeeper Unai Simon made a crucial clearance to deny Mbappe early in the game, contributing to the team’s strong defensive record.
Midfielder Rodri delivered an outstanding performance, dominating the midfield and suffocating France’s play. His leadership as captain was evident throughout the match. Aymeric Laporte also had a strong showing in defence, maintaining a passing accuracy of over 90%.
Looking ahead to the final
Spain will now prepare to face either Argentina or England in the World Cup final, scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey. De la Fuente expressed no preference for their opponent, acknowledging England as one of the pre-tournament favourites. The Spanish team’s collective strength and tactical discipline have been highlighted as key reasons for their success.
The team’s journey in the tournament has included an initial 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, and an 88th-minute winner against Belgium in the quarter-finals. Their victory over France, however, demonstrated a more decisive performance.
After the match, De la Fuente received a phone call from King Felipe VI, acknowledging the team’s achievement. Many of the current squad members, including Mikel Merino, Rodri, and Unai Simon, have played under De la Fuente in Spain’s youth teams, fostering a strong team cohesion.
The xG figure Spain faced against France was the lowest by a nation in a semi-final tie in the competition since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.
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Source: bbc.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
