Spain has advanced to their second World Cup final, delivering a commanding performance against France in the semi-final. The victory sees Spain extend their unbeaten run to 37 matches, equalling Italy’s record in international football.
Many had considered France, featuring players like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, as strong favourites for the tournament. However, Spain’s collective strength and tactical approach proved too much for Les Bleus, who managed only three attempts on target during the match.
The match saw Spain secure a 2-0 win, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, who converted a penalty, and Pedro Porro, who finished a well-worked move. These were Spain’s only two attempts on target, highlighting their efficiency.
Spain’s Tactical Masterclass
Spain’s success was attributed to a masterclass in control, characterised by possession, counter-pressing, a dominant midfield, and short passing combinations. This approach effectively stifled France’s individual talents, reducing their attacking threat.
The midfield trio of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Olmo played a crucial role, imposing themselves physically and technically. Olmo, operating as a roaming number 10, created numerical advantages in midfield and posed significant challenges for France’s defence.
For Spain’s second goal, Olmo provided the assist, exploiting weaknesses around France’s full-backs. Desire Doue failed to track the attacking run of Pedro Porro, who received a return pass and scored.
Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton described Spain’s performance, stating they “flattened France” and were “swatted aside by silky Spain.” Fellow pundit Roy Keane noted that France were “not playing as a team,” in contrast to Spain’s brilliant collective effort.
France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, made tactical decisions that did not yield the desired outcome, including recalling Aurélien Tchouaméni and preferring Bradley Barcola on the left wing over Désiré Doué. Injuries also impacted France, with William Saliba departing shortly after Oyarzabal’s penalty.
Adrien Rabiot, who received an early booking, was substituted at half-time, and the introduction of Manu Koné made little difference as France remained outnumbered in midfield. Michael Olise, a standout player earlier in the tournament, was largely neutralised.
De la Fuente’s Journey to the Final
Under manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain has achieved significant success, including a Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory. His appointment in December 2022 was initially met with some scepticism, given his previous roles with the nation’s youth teams.
However, De la Fuente has silenced his doubters, guiding Spain to the World Cup final. He expressed pride in his players, highlighting their “effort, talent, sacrifice, trying to be a better version of ourselves.”
De la Fuente also noted a recapture of the “spirit of 2010,” referencing Spain’s World Cup win under Vicente del Bosque. He has a close connection with many of his players, having coached them in youth teams, fostering a strong sense of team unity.
Players like Mikel Merino, Rodri, and Unai Simon have a long history with De la Fuente, winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2015. This shared history has contributed to a team dynamic where players feel “better together than individually.”
Spain’s World Cup campaign began with an unexpected 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde. They secured narrow victories in the knockout stages, with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16 and an 88th-minute winner against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The team has maintained six clean sheets in their seven matches, a record for a single World Cup edition. The expected goals (xG) figure they faced against France was 0.3, the lowest in a semi-final since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.
Spain will now prepare for the final, where they will face either Argentina or England. France, meanwhile, will participate in the third-place play-off.
Following the victory, De la Fuente received a phone call from King Felipe VI, acknowledging the team’s achievement.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Spain is expected to be the favourite for the final, regardless of their opponent. De la Fuente stated he had no preference between England and Argentina, acknowledging England as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Football expert Guillem Balague suggested that the winner of the World Cup may have played in this semi-final, indicating Spain’s strong form. He noted that Spain’s ability to control possession and create chances would be a significant factor in the final.
France’s Kylian Mbappé, who had aimed to overcome the disappointment of 2022, will have to wait another four years for a chance at the World Cup title. His forlorn expression at the end of the match reflected the team’s disappointment.
Spain’s performance against France demonstrated a team built on strong principles, which they have honed over decades. This collective approach, combining discipline with daring, will be a key factor in the upcoming final.
France will now need to develop a long-term identity that blends discipline and diligence with boldness, similar to the approach Spain displayed.
Spain’s journey to the final has been marked by a consistent idea and a strong collective effort, setting them up as a formidable opponent for the final match.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, while England will play their semi-final match in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
