Spain defeated France 2-0 in Dallas to secure their place in the World Cup final. The victory marks Spain’s first appearance in the final since 2010. They are now set to face either England or Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.
The match saw Spain deliver a dominant performance, with Pedro Porro scoring a crucial second goal that effectively sealed the win. Porro’s strike came after Mikel Oyarzabal had converted a penalty, giving Spain the lead. The collective strength of the Spanish side was a recurring theme throughout the encounter, as they largely neutralised France’s attacking threats.
Spain’s Collective Strength Shines
Spain displayed a cohesive team effort, which head coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted after the match. He described his team as “the best team in the world,” a sentiment echoed by former player Patrick Vieira, who noted that Spain “dominated the game in every single aspect.” This collective approach stood in contrast to France’s more individualistic play, particularly among their forwards.
The Spanish team’s ability to control the game was evident in their ball circulation and off-the-ball efforts. While possession was roughly even, Spain’s tactical discipline and intensity without the ball were praised. Roy Keane observed that Spain “worked in packs” and showed “intensity and purpose to their play,” which was “almost the opposite to the French.”
Defensively, Spain proved formidable, conceding only one goal throughout the entire tournament. Goalkeeper Unai Simón maintained a sixth clean sheet in seven matches during the semi-final. The defensive solidity was a key factor in limiting France to only two shots on target, with one save by Simón in the 94th minute from Ousmane Dembélé.
Key Moments and Player Contributions
The opening goal for Spain came from a penalty, awarded after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the spot-kick, continuing his strong form in major competitions. Oyarzabal has a history of scoring in finals, including the winner against England at the Euros two years prior, and has taken 53 penalties, missing six.
Pedro Porro‘s second goal was a moment of individual brilliance within the team’s collective effort. Bursting into the box, he received a layoff from Dani Olmo and guided the ball into the net. This was Porro’s second goal of the World Cup, and he expressed his disbelief, stating he “couldn’t have imagined this” even in his “wildest dreams.”
Other notable performances included Rodri, who delivered an outstanding display in midfield, suffocating France and dominating the central areas. Aymeric Laporte also contributed significantly with a composed performance in defence, achieving a passing accuracy of over 90%. Lamine Yamal, despite not having scored frequently, was instrumental in winning the penalty that led to Spain’s first goal and troubled the French defence throughout the match.
For France, key players like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise struggled to make an impact against Spain’s organised defence. Mbappé had only two touches in Spain’s penalty area in the first half, highlighting the effectiveness of Spain’s strategy in neutralising their opponents’ star players.
Looking Ahead to the Final
The victory against France was Luis de la Fuente‘s 13th win in 14 major tournament games as head coach, following his success at the European Championship two years ago. This consistent performance underscores the team’s strength and tactical prowess. The coach often speaks of “tranquility is power,” a philosophy that seems to permeate the squad’s approach to high-pressure matches.
The Spanish squad, described as a “family” by their coach, has been on the road for a month and now has one final stop. The team’s depth and collective buy-in are evident, with players like Mikel Merino impacting games from the bench and Pedri capable of stepping into crucial roles if needed. Spain’s dominant performance against France positions them as strong contenders for the World Cup title.
Spain will now prepare to face either England or Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
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Source: theguardian.com