Spain's Collective Dominance Secures World Cup Semi-Final Victory Over France

Ekhbary News Agency | 2024-07-15T10:00:00Z

The Spanish national football team asserted its dominance over France in a stunning World Cup semi-final, with coach Luis de la Fuente declaring his squad "the best team in the world." This emphatic victory, described by player Marc Cucurella as "what a fucking recital," highlighted Spain's collective strength and tactical mastery, leaving the highly-fancied French side bewildered and without a clear response.

Spain's Unyielding Control on Display

De la Fuente’s message to his players before the match was clear: believe in themselves. Indeed, Spain demonstrated exceptional control throughout the game, allowing France, a team boasting stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, minimal opportunities. The statistics underscore this supremacy; France's expected goals (xG) plummeted from an average of 2.4 to a mere 0.31, their lowest ever, while Spain registered a commanding 1.7 xG. French players, for what it's worth, found themselves chasing a ball they were consistently denied access to, a rare sight in such a high-stakes encounter.

A Dynasty in the Making?

This semi-final triumph follows similar Spanish victories over France in the 2024 Euros and 2025 Nations League semi-finals, suggesting a burgeoning rivalry where Spain consistently holds the upper hand. Nineteen-year-old Lamine Yamal continued his impressive run, notably outshining Mbappé in their individual matchups, a clear sign of the emerging talent within the Spanish ranks. Despite the magnitude of the achievement, De la Fuente emphasized valuing the team's journey and effort, dismissing the notion of deferring celebrations. This win, he affirmed, is a success regardless of the final outcome, a testament to their arduous work and collective spirit.