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Spain produced an absolute masterclass in control to secure their place in just their second World Cup final – leaving the rest of the world stunned at how France were blown away.
Les Bleus went into Tuesday’s eagerly anticipated semi-final as overwhelming favourites having cruised through the tournament, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise making them an attacking force to be feared.
But while many were questioning how France could be beaten, Spain reminded everyone why they are European champions and unbeaten in a record-equalling 37 matches by running out 2-0 winners.
Luis de la Fuente’s men have rather flown under the radar at this World Cup – even failing to beat debutants Cape Verde in their opening match – and teenage superstar Lamine Yamal has scored just one goal.
But they appear to have hit peak form at the right time and, having kept a clean sheet in six of their seven games, can expect to be favourites for Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will face either Argentina or England.
France, meanwhile, must prepare for the third-place play-off after being frustrated by a midfield masterclass and managing just three attempts on target.
“Spain scalped France – they flattened France,” said former Premier League champion Chris Sutton, who was at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We have given France so much praise in this tournament, but they were swatted aside by silky Spain. In the main, Spain have outfought and outplayed this French team.”
Roy Keane – another Premier League winner – said on ITV: “France were not playing as a team. Brilliant individuals not playing as a team.
“Spain have been absolutely brilliant – an absolute joy to watch.”
When De la Fuente was appointed Spain boss in December 2022, some referred to him as: “Luis de la Who?”
Spain – world champions under Vicente del Bosque in 2010 – are used to being led by high-profile personalities, and de la Fuente was viewed as a low-key federation appointment after his time in charge of the nation’s under-19s, under-21s and under-23s.
But the 65-year-old has given an emphatic response to the doubters.
Having led Spain to a Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory, he has now guided them to the World Cup final.
If England win in Atlanta on Wednesday, they will set up a repeat of the European Championship final of two years ago.
Spain’s incredible numbers
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Spain have equalled Italy’s record for the longest unbeaten run in international football – 37 matches.
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The five European players with the most appearances at the World Cup/European Championship combined without ever losing all play for Spain – Aymeric Laporte (22), Oyarzabal (20), Fabian Ruiz (16), Mikel Merino (14) and Yamal (14).
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Lamine Yamal has never lost a game for Spain. He has also started 12 games at the World Cup and Euros combined, ending on the winning side in all – the best 100% win rate of any European player across the two competitions when starting.
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Spain are the first team in World Cup history to keep six clean sheets at a single edition.
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The xG figure they faced against France (0.3) was the lowest by a nation in a semi-final tie in the competition since Brazil against Sweden in 1994
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‘We’ve recaptured the spirit of 2010’
Spain’s World Cup campaign started in with an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. They needed a 91st minute winner to see off Portugal in the last 16 and an 88th-minute winner to get past Belgium in the quarter-finals.
They did not leave it so late against France, racing into a 2-0 lead inside an hour thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Porro’s wonderful finish – their only two attempts on target.
“It’s not an amazing Spanish side – we’ve seen better,” former France full-back Gael Clichy told 5 Live Sport.
“But the best team won. All the phases were controlled by Spain – we are used to what Spain are doing but they’re doing it so well.”
French World Cup winner Patrick Vieira agreed Spain had dominated “every single aspect”.
“Collectively it was a fantastic game from Spain,” he said on ITV Sport. “They stopped Olise playing – they won the game tactically.”
His former Arsenal team-mate Ian Wright said: “It was structure over individuality. I am just shocked it has happened that easily.”
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague added: “What we have seen is a brilliant collective display. They had control of absolutely everything – it should be in all football schools.”
De la Fuente said in his post-match news conference that his players deserved to be in the final because of “effort, talent, sacrifice, trying to be a better version of ourselves”.
“We’ve recaptured the spirit of 2010,” he said. “The character of this team is evident in the fact that those who didn’t play have stayed behind to train after the match.
“This is a process and it was all planned for us to reach this moment in as great shape as possible.”
A win fit for a King
While thousands of Spanish fans poured onto the streets of their homeland in celebration, De La Fuente revealed he he had received a phone call from King Felipe VI after full-time.
De La Fuente has a close connection with his players, with many having playing under him in the nation’s youth teams.
Mikel Merino’s first international title with De La Fuente came in 2015 when he played alongside Rodri – now his captain – and goalkeeper Unai Simon in their European Under-19 Championship triumph.
“De La Fuente started this journey 10 years ago with Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Simon,” said Balague on 5 Live.
“They won the under-19 and under-21 Euros, got to know each other, formed a family, and that feeling of being better together than individually is in their DNA.”
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‘The World Cup winners played today’
Asked if he would rather face England or Argentina in Sunday’s final, De La Fuente said: “I don’t have a preference. I really like England. I said before the World Cup they were one of the favourites.”
Balague added: “It is going to be the same script. We are going to have a lot of the ball. If it is Argentina, they are suspect defensively, you can break them on counters and open them up.
“Spain have so many layers that they can do that too. I think the winner of the World Cup played today.
“Having raised the bar, Spain are finishing games, they are creating chances.
“England have taken another route since the Euros. You have started a new project and I cannot see the idea very clearly. Spain have continued with the same idea.”
‘Spain outclassed France’
Spain outclassed France with a performance built on principles we’ve come to know from them over decades now – possession, counter-pressing, a dominant midfield, and short passing combinations.
Against France’s midfield two, Spain imposed themselves with the physical and technically brilliant trio of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri and Dani Olmo.
It was the latter, who played as a roaming 10, posing unanswered questions of France’s midfield and backline. By dropping deep he gave Spain a three against two in midfield.
France looked to stop this by having a centre-back follow him but his ability to resist the press and find nearby team-mates was central to many of Spain’s best attacks.
For Spain’s second goal, Olmo provided the assist as described. For this goal, we also saw the other key area of superiority from Spain, which was around the French full-backs.
France’s 4-4-1-1 defensive block was fairly passive and players defended zonally rather than tracking individual players.
Spain targeted this weakness by committing full-backs to attack. The French full-backs found themselves defending two players – Spain’s winger and full-back.
For the goal, Desire Doue failed to track the attacking run of Pedro Porro, who after passing the ball, arrived to receive the pass back, before scoring.
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