Spain delivered one of their finest performances of the tournament to book a place in only their second World Cup final, stunning a France side that had entered the semi-final as one of the competition’s strongest teams.
Les Bleus arrived with huge attacking expectations, relying on the individual quality of players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise. However, Spain showed that a perfectly organised team can overcome even the most talented group of individuals, claiming a convincing 2-0 victory.
Luis de la Fuente’s side reminded the football world why they are European champions and why they have matched the international unbeaten record of 37 games. After quietly progressing through the tournament, Spain now look ready for Sunday’s final against either Argentina or England.
France, meanwhile, was unable to find solutions against Spain’s control and tactical discipline. Despite their attacking options, they managed only three shots on target and struggled to break through a defence that has been among the strongest at the World Cup.
Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton described Spain’s display as a complete domination, saying they had “flattened” France and shown superiority in both physical and tactical areas.
Roy Keane also highlighted the contrast between the two teams, explaining that France were a collection of outstanding players who failed to operate as a unit, while Spain showed the value of collective football.
De la Fuente proves his critics wrong
Spain’s journey under Luis de la Fuente has become one of the biggest stories of the tournament. When he was appointed head coach in December 2022, some questioned whether he was the right person to lead a nation accustomed to famous managers.
Unlike previous Spain coaches with global reputations, De la Fuente arrived after working with the country’s youth teams, including the under-19, under-21, and under-23 sides. His appointment was initially viewed as a quieter choice, but his results have provided a clear response.
After winning the Nations League in 2023 and lifting the European Championship trophy in 2024, the 65-year-old has now taken Spain to the biggest match in world football.
The coach believes the team’s success comes from commitment, sacrifice, and constant improvement. He said Spain had rediscovered the spirit of the 2010 World Cup-winning generation and praised the mentality of players who continued training after the semi-final despite not featuring.
A tactical masterclass built on control
Spain’s victory was another example of the football identity they have developed over many years. Their possession-based approach, aggressive pressing after losing the ball, midfield dominance, and quick combinations caused France problems throughout the match.
The trio of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Olmo controlled the centre of the pitch against France’s midfield setup. Olmo’s movement from the number 10 role created constant difficulties, as he regularly dropped deeper and gave Spain an extra passing option.
France attempted to deal with Olmo’s influence by allowing a centre-back to follow him, but the Spanish midfielder repeatedly escaped pressure and connected with nearby teammates to create attacking opportunities.
Spain’s second goal showed another area where they found success. The French defensive structure left space around the full-backs, allowing Spain’s wide players and defenders to overload those areas.
France defended in a passive 4-4-1-1 shape, focusing more on zones than individual marking. Spain took advantage by sending their full-backs forward, forcing French defenders into difficult situations where they had to cover multiple opponents.
For the decisive second goal, Pedro Porro exploited that space. After playing the ball, he continued his run, received the return pass, and finished after France failed to track his movement.
Spain’s numbers underline a historic campaign
Spain’s statistics show just how impressive their tournament has been. They have now equalled Italy’s record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, reaching 37 matches without defeat.
They have also achieved a defensive milestone by becoming the first team in World Cup history to record six clean sheets in a single edition of the competition.
Lamine Yamal has been another symbol of Spain’s success. The teenager has never lost a match while representing his country and has won all 12 of his World Cup and European Championship starts.
Spain’s defensive strength was also evident against France, who produced only 0.3 expected goals — the lowest figure recorded by a team in a World Cup semi-final since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.
Despite a difficult start, including a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde, Spain has improved as the tournament has progressed. They needed late goals against Portugal and Belgium earlier in the knockout stages, but against France they controlled the match from the beginning.
A united group chasing another title
Spain’s success has been built on a long-term connection between De la Fuente and many of his players. Several members of the squad worked with him during their youth careers, creating a strong sense of unity inside the team.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Unai Simon are among the players who began this journey under De la Fuente years ago, forming a group that has grown together through youth tournaments and now stands on the edge of World Cup glory.
After the victory, De la Fuente received a phone call from King Felipe VI as celebrations spread across Spain. The coach insisted there was no preferred opponent for the final, saying both England and Argentina would provide a major challenge.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Spain have raised the standard at the tournament and that their performance against France showed the qualities of a potential champion.
He pointed out that Spain’s consistency and tactical clarity separate them from other contenders while describing their semi-final display as the type of performance that belongs in football schools.