Spain delivered a masterclass in collective football to defeat France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final, showcasing a performance built on unity and tactical control rather than individual brilliance. The victory, played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was a testament to the philosophy of coach Luis de la Fuente, who has fostered a tight-knit "family" since taking over the national team.
De la Fuente's pre-match message
Before the match, De la Fuente gathered his players and delivered a simple yet powerful message: "We're facing one of the best lineups in the world, but we're the best team in the world." The sentiment echoed throughout the squad, with left-back Marc Cucurella later exclaiming, "What a f***ing recital!" after the final whistle. Spain's performance was so dominant that France managed only one shot on target, and that came in the final quarter of the game. According to statistics, no semi-finalist has been reduced to such little attacking threat since Sweden in 2006.
Statistical dominance
France's expected goals (xG) plummeted from an average of 2.4 per game in the tournament to just 0.31 against Spain, their lowest ever in a World Cup match. In contrast, Spain racked up 1.7 xG. The Spanish defense, marshalled by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, neutralized Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, with goalkeeper Unai Simón repeatedly rushing out to deny Mbappé. Rodri won more duels than all French players combined and completed more passes than anyone else on the pitch.
Collective over individual stars
While much of the pre-match focus was on the duel between Lamine Yamal and Mbappé, Spain's victory was a team effort. Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 just days before the match, played a disciplined role, taking fewer risks and rarely losing the ball as part of the tactical plan. "It was not about the stars," the report emphasizes. "This is a collective, a team." Pedro Porro's goal, which capped an outstanding team move that began deep in Spain's own half, exemplified their approach. Mikel Oyarzabal, often playing as a midfielder, contributed five goals in the tournament, the most by any Spaniard in a single World Cup.
Long-term planning and continuity
De la Fuente revealed that the team had planned to peak at the right moment. "It was planned to be in our best shape at the most important moment," he said. The coach also highlighted the long-standing relationships within the squad, noting that some players, including Rodri, had been with him since winning the 2015 U19 European Championship. "We started four years ago and we have been faithful to an idea, which is what brought us here," De la Fuente added.
Celebration and perspective
After the match, the Spanish dressing room erupted in celebration, with music blasting and pizza being passed around. De la Fuente rejected the notion of not celebrating until winning the final, saying, "What we have done is very hard, why would we not be happy? I value the journey, what we have done. Only one team can win the World Cup and whatever happens this is a success." Rodri called the performance "the game of our lives," while Dani Olmo reflected on the journey from Atlanta to New York. Spain now await the final, having proven that collective control can overcome even the most star-studded opposition.
