Spain reaches World Cup final after masterclass performance against France
Spain secures World Cup final berth
Spain has advanced to their second World Cup final, delivering a dominant performance against France in the semi-final match held in Dallas. The European champions secured a 2-0 victory, leaving many surprised by the ease with which they overcame the highly-favoured French side. This win extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 matches, equalling Italy’s record in international football.
The match saw Spain control the game, particularly through their midfield, which stifled France’s attacking threats. Despite France entering the semi-final as favourites, their offensive players, including Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, struggled to make an impact against Spain’s organised defence. France managed only three attempts on target throughout the game.
Goals for Spain came from a penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal and a finish from Pedro Porro. Oyarzabal’s penalty was awarded after a foul on Lamine Yamal. This marks Spain’s first World Cup final appearance since 2010.
Tactical dominance and player performances
Spain’s victory was attributed to their collective play and tactical superiority. Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton noted that Spain “swatted aside by silky Spain,” while Roy Keane commented on France’s lack of team cohesion, stating they were “brilliant individuals not playing as a team.” Patrick Vieira, a French World Cup winner, also acknowledged Spain’s dominance in “every single aspect” of the game.
Under coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain has achieved significant success, including a Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory. De la Fuente, who previously coached Spain’s youth teams, has guided many of his current players through various age groups, fostering a strong team spirit. Players like Mikel Merino, Rodri, and Unai Simon were part of his European Under-19 Championship winning squad in 2015.
Key players for Spain included captain Rodri, who delivered an outstanding performance in midfield, and Aymeric Laporte, who maintained a passing accuracy of over 90%. Lamine Yamal, despite having a quiet tournament previously, earned the penalty that led to Spain’s opening goal. Dani Olmo also proved to be a significant threat, providing an assist for the second goal.
Looking ahead to the final
Spain will now face either Argentina or England in the final, which is scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey. France, on the other hand, will compete in the third-place play-off on Saturday. Spain’s defensive solidity has been a hallmark of their campaign, as they have kept six clean sheets in seven matches at this World Cup, a first in the tournament’s history.
The team’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, expressed pride in his players, highlighting their “effort, talent, sacrifice, trying to be a better version of ourselves.” He also mentioned receiving a phone call from King Felipe VI after the match. The Spanish squad’s collective strength and tactical discipline were evident against France, with experts like Guillem Balague suggesting that the winner of the World Cup played in this semi-final.
France’s defender William Saliba left the field injured after Spain scored, marking a difficult end to his World Cup campaign. Lucas Digne conceded the penalty for the first goal after fouling Lamine Yamal. Adrien Rabiot was replaced at the start of the second half after receiving an early booking. Malo Gusto was an unused substitute for France in the semi-final match.
Spain’s journey to the final 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.
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Source: bbc.com