Spain defeat France in World Cup semi-final in Dallas
Spain advance to World Cup final
Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semi-final held in Dallas, earning their place in Sunday’s final. They will face either England or Argentina in the championship match. The win for Luis de la Fuente’s side highlighted a collective team effort against a France squad featuring prominent individual talents.
The match saw Spain dominate, with goals coming from a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and a finish by Pedro Porro. Oyarzabal’s penalty was awarded after a foul on Lamine Yamal. Porro’s goal was the culmination of a passing sequence that originated deep within Spain’s own half, demonstrating their ability to dismantle the opposition’s defense.
France’s attacking players, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue, were largely contained throughout the game. Rayan Cherki was also introduced, but France’s offensive threat was significantly neutralized. Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, stated that his team faced “the best team in the world” after the match.
This result marks De la Fuente’s 13th victory in 14 major tournament games as head coach, following Spain’s European Championship success two years prior. Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner with France, commented on ITV that Spain “dominated the game in every single aspect.”
Tactical dominance and collective strength
Spain’s approach to the game emphasized teamwork and tactical discipline. They maintained their characteristic composure in ball circulation, effectively moving France’s players to create and exploit openings. Their second goal, involving a one-two between Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo, exemplified their ability to break down defenses.
Throughout the tournament, Spain has averaged 64 percent possession and has made approximately 200 more passes in the final third compared to any other team. Their capacity to control the game, both with and without the ball, has been a defining feature of their performance. Despite possession being relatively even against France, the difference in how each team utilized it and their off-the-ball efforts was notable.
Roy Keane, also speaking on ITV, highlighted Spain’s defensive work, noting that they “worked in packs” with “intensity and purpose to their play,” contrasting this with France’s more individualistic defensive efforts. Vieira added that Spain’s forward players “worked really hard to not let the French players get on the ball.”
France struggled to create clear shooting opportunities, and when they did, they were met by committed defenders like Marc Cucurella. This defensive solidity left Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, and other French attackers frustrated.
Individual contributions within a strong collective
While Spain is lauded for its collective strength, individual talents have also played crucial roles. Lamine Yamal, aged 19, has been a significant presence, earning the penalty for Spain’s opening goal and consistently challenging Lucas Digne on the left flank. Despite only scoring once in seven games, his impact has been considerable.
Rodri has consistently demonstrated his status as a leading player in his position, winning 11 of 15 duels against France and controlling the midfield both with and without possession. The depth of talent in Spain’s midfield is further evidenced by players like Martin Zubimendi, who stepped in during the European Championship final, and Pedri, who could fulfill a similar role if needed. Fabian Ruiz has also seamlessly integrated into the team in recent matches.
Up front, Mikel Oyarzabal leads the team with five goals, but Ferran Torres provides a strong alternative, sharing a similar understanding of the role. Mikel Merino’s ability to make an impact from the bench further underscores the collective commitment within the squad. Malo Gusto, an unused substitute for France in the semi-final, will hope to feature in the third-place play-off against either Argentina or England on Saturday.
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Source: skysports.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
