Spain's team effort outclasses France's stars to reach World Cup final

Spain produced a masterclass in control to secure their place in just their second World Cup final, leaving the rest of the world stunned as they blew away France 2-0 in Tuesday's semi-final.

Les Bleus entered the match as overwhelming favourites, having cruised through the tournament with attacking threats like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. But while many questioned how France could be beaten, Spain reminded everyone why they are European champions and unbeaten in a record-equalling 37 matches.

Midfield dominance stifles French attack

Luis de la Fuente's men have flown under the radar at this World Cup, even failing to beat debutants Cape Verde in their opening match. Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal has scored just one goal. But they hit peak form at the right time, keeping a clean sheet in six of their seven games.

France managed just three attempts on target as Spain's midfield controlled the game. "Spain scalped France — they flattened France," said former Premier League champion Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have given France so much praise in this tournament, but they were swatted aside by silky Spain. In the main, Spain have outfought and outplayed this French team."

Roy Keane, another Premier League winner, added on ITV: "France were not playing as a team. Brilliant individuals not playing as a team. Spain have been absolutely brilliant — an absolute joy to watch."

De la Fuente silences doubters

When De la Fuente was appointed Spain boss in December 2022, some referred to him as "Luis de la Who?" Spain, world champions under Vicente del Bosque in 2010, are used to high-profile personalities. De la Fuente was viewed as a low-key federation appointment after coaching the under-19s, under-21s and under-23s.

But the 65-year-old has responded emphatically. After leading Spain to Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory, he has now guided them to the World Cup final. If England win in Atlanta on Wednesday, they will set up a repeat of the European Championship final of two years ago.

Spain's remarkable statistics

Spain have equalled Italy's record for the longest unbeaten run in international football — 37 matches. The five European players with the most appearances at the World Cup/European Championship combined without ever losing all play for Spain: Aymeric Laporte (22), Mikel Oyarzabal (20), Fabian Ruiz (16), Mikel Merino (14) and Lamine Yamal (14).

Yamal has never lost a game for Spain. He has started 12 games at the World Cup and Euros combined, ending on the winning side in all — the best 100% win rate of any European player across the two competitions when starting.

Spain are the first team in World Cup history to keep six clean sheets at a single edition. The expected goals (xG) figure they faced against France (0.3) was the lowest by a nation in a semi-final tie since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.

Clinical finishing seals victory

Spain's World Cup campaign started with an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. They needed a 91st-minute winner to see off Portugal in the last 16 and an 88th-minute winner to get past Belgium in the quarter-finals. Against France, they did not leave it so late, racing into a 2-0 lead inside an hour thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty and Pedro Porro's wonderful finish — their only two attempts on target.

"It's not an amazing Spanish side — we've seen better," former France full-back Gael Clichy told 5 Live Sport. "But the best team won."

France must now prepare for the third-place play-off, while Spain can expect to be favourites for Sunday's final against either Argentina or England.