The Spanish national team crushes France with its supportive and team-oriented style of play, advancing to the World Cup final 16 years later

The first match of the semifinals of this 2026 World Cup began yesterday, Tuesday, with the duel between the Spanish national team and the French national team to secure a ticket to the grand final of this magnificent competition. The Spanish sought to reach a final 16 years later, after that glorious 2010 World Cup, while the French wanted to reach their third consecutive final in World Cups, after winning in 2018 and being runners-up in 2022.

France's lineup did not surprise anyone, as all the expected players played, Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé and company. And in Spain's, Luis de la Fuente surprised again by putting Fabián Ruiz in the starting eleven, who whenever he has played with Spain, has not lost a single match, being the amulet of this team. The match began, and as was somewhat expected, Spain took possession of the ball, while France tried to find a quick exit looking for their very fast attacking players.

However, that approach by France was going to be costly for them, as they only came out with two central midfielders and four forwards, allowing Spain to take control of the ball. This made them more and more comfortable and secure, until in the 22nd minute, a clumsy penalty committed against Lamine Yamal, and converted by Mikel Oyarzábal, made it 1-0 for the Spanish. With the goal, the logical thing would have been for France to have taken more prominence, however, Spain continued with its game, and Rodri, Fabián, Dani Olmo and company took possession of the ball, making the French only able to run behind it.

With this, the second half began, in which France was forced to be braver if they wanted to hurt Spain. But Luis de la Fuente's team continued with their philosophy of keeping the ball and not sitting back. So much so, that in the 58th minute Pedro Porro played a great one-two with Dani Olmo, leaving Porro in front of the goalkeeper and finishing perfectly to make it 2-0 and bring Spain closer to victory. France was out of sorts, none of their stars appeared, while Spain calmly and judiciously touched and touched the ball.

This would be the script of the entire match, confirming a total domination of the Spanish national team over the French national team, which could not even enjoy any clear goal-scoring opportunity. Spain won the match 2-0, although the feeling was of a thrashing, but the most important thing is that with that result, they reached a World Cup final 16 years later. The players on the field and the fans in the squares, bars, homes, etc. erupted in euphoria and happiness, to celebrate that Spain would play another great final, and have serious options to be champions. All the players had a great game yesterday, and that says a lot about this team, which is not characterized by great individualities like France, but its best weapon is being a great block and that they all go together, and with that philosophy they will try to bring the champions' cup to Spain, this Sunday, July 19.