Dallas hosts as Spain defeat France to reach World Cup final
Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in their World Cup semi-final match in Dallas, earning a spot in Sunday’s final. The win means Spain will face either England or Argentina, who are scheduled to play their semi-final in New Jersey.
The match saw Spain deliver a dominant performance, with goals scored in each half. The first came from a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, awarded after a foul on Lamine Yamal. Later, Pedro Porro added a second goal, finishing a well-executed passing move that originated deep in Spain’s own half.
France’s attacking lineup, which included players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, struggled to make an impact against Spain’s organised defence and midfield. Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, commented after the match that his team faced “the best team in the world.”
Spain’s collective strength triumphs
Spain’s victory highlighted the strength of their collective play, a theme that has been consistent throughout the tournament. Coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players’ “effort, talent, sacrifice,” and their commitment to improving. He stated that the team had “recaptured the spirit of 2010,” referring to Spain’s previous World Cup success.
This approach contrasts with the focus on individual superstars seen in other teams during this tournament, where players like Mbappe and Lionel Messi have been prolific scorers. Spain’s ability to negate France’s individual threats was evident, as France were limited to chances worth only 0.30 expected goals.
The team’s tactical discipline was also noted, with former France player Patrick Vieira observing that Spain “dominated the game in every single aspect.” Roy Keane added that Spain “won the game because of out of possession today,” highlighting their intense and purposeful off-the-ball work.
Spain’s ball circulation and ability to create openings were key to their offensive play. They have maintained an average of 64 per cent possession throughout the tournament and have made approximately 200 more passes in the final third than any other side. Their capacity to control the game, both with and without the ball, has been a defining characteristic.
While Spain does have individual talent, such as Lamine Yamal, who earned the penalty for the first goal, the team’s success has not relied solely on him. Yamal, at 19 years old, has scored once in seven games. Midfielder Rodri has also been a standout performer, winning 11 of 15 duels against France and demonstrating his quality in his position.
The depth of Spain’s squad is also a factor, with players like Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, and Fabian Ruiz capable of stepping into key roles. Upfront, Mikel Oyarzabal has been the top scorer with five goals, but Ferran Torres provides a similar threat. The collective buy-in of the squad, exemplified by players like Mikel Merino impacting games from the bench, underscores Spain’s strength as a team.
Looking ahead to the final
The victory marks Luis de la Fuente’s 13th win in 14 major tournament games as head coach, following Spain’s European Championship success two years prior. This consistent performance has positioned them as strong contenders for the World Cup title.
For France, the defeat means their World Cup journey has ended. Malo Gusto, who was an unused substitute in the semi-final, will not follow in the footsteps of previous France players who lifted the trophy while at Chelsea. Gusto made four appearances in the tournament, all from the bench, and will now hope to feature in the third-place play-off scheduled for Saturday.
Spain will now prepare for the final on Sunday, aiming to cap off a tournament where their teamwork and tactical prowess have been consistently highlighted.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
