Spain qualify for the 2026 World Cup final as they put on a tactical show to defeat France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot in the 22nd minute before a stunning effort from Pedro Porro found the back of the net in the 58th minute. Jules Kounde and the French national team are out.
But it was far more than a win; it was a footballing clinic. France were the holders of the most terrifying attack on paper, but Spain had them chasing shadows for all 90 minutes. The way the Spanish team circulated possession, pressed with ferocity, and expressed an arrogant ownership of the ball, was for all the world, like watching peak Barcelona.
The Barca boys run the show
It is impossible to ignore the La Masia influence on this famous victory. The pre-game narrative was entirely based on how Spain would contend with the blistering pace of France, but in reality, the real story was the overwhelming technical superiority of the Spanish midfield and wings.
Lamine Yamal, for his part, was out of this world. The teenage winger isolated the French defence, broke up the shape of their block, and drew the foul that resulted in Oyarzabal's 22nd-minute opening.
On the other side, Dani Olmo operated in the half-spaces, a pure Messi incarnate, dictating tempo, dragging holders out of their shape, and delivering the killer pass to Porro's second. When the job was to be completed, Pedri came off the bench in the 77th minute to kill the game by freezing the ball, and leeching the remaining life out of the French press.
Defensive Masterclass
I do not think it is a leap to say, that right now on current form, Pau Cubarsi is the best centre-back in the world. Facing a terrifying quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola (with Desire Doue being subbed on in the latter stages), France could do absolutely nothing. Cubarsi marshalled the Spanish backline with seasoned authority, cutting passing lanes and winning all of the crucial duels.
Mbappe contained: Frustrated, France's talisman resorted to wild shots, picked up a yellow card for a foul in the 86th minute and remained largely anonymous.
French midfield drowned: Michael Olise, Aurlien Tchouamni and Adrien Rabiot spent the entire game chasing the ball, unable to find any form of rhythm or disrupting the Spanish possession game.
Everything summed up
Spain didn't just defeat the World Cup favourite, they put a stop to them. The sheer efficiency of the French side was met with a side that played like an actual footballing team and we'll be seeing them in the final.
Next semi-final is between Argentina and England. If Argentina go on to beat England, we will be witnessing a clash all Barcelona and Messi fans would dream about: Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal.
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