Spain has reached the FIFA World Cup final, demonstrating a level of dominance that has surpassed initial expectations, particularly with their commanding 2-0 victory over France in the semifinal. The team's midfield, anchored by Rodri, dictated the game, a stark contrast to predictions that focused on France's attacking prowess.
"Our message was that we were probably facing one of the best national teams in the world," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente stated after the match. "However, they were going to face the best team. The best group in the world."
Spain's victory was characterized by their control of possession and suffocating defense, limiting France's star-studded attack. Goalkeeper Unai Simón faced no direct saves, underscoring the team's defensive resilience. The midfield trio of Fabián Ruiz, Dani Olmo, and Rodri overwhelmed France's midfield pairing of Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Spain's fullbacks, Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro, also played significant roles, with Porro scoring the second goal after a combination with Olmo.
"I said a long time ago that questioning Rodri was insulting intelligence, and time proved us right," De la Fuente commented on his pivotal midfielder. "He’s an ideal player for this football idea that we have. Rodri is the backbone in midfield that makes everything work. When it comes to interpreting defensive football, he uses very few touches with great passing and positioning. Defensively, he’s a very important player for our idea of football, so we are lucky to have this kind of player. That’s a hell of a player."
The Spanish defense, featuring Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, has been a cornerstone of their success. Spain became the first team in World Cup history to record six clean sheets. According to Opta, they held France to their lowest expected goals figure in a semifinal since 1994.
Even early-season concerns, such as Lamine Yamal's relatively low goal and assist numbers, have been overshadowed by the team's overall performance and tactical discipline. The 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, which initially raised questions, now appears to have been an early indicator of their defensive strength, as their opponent required seven saves from their goalkeeper and had minimal possession.
"What is important here is the team," De la Fuente emphasized. "That is how I understand it. This is not me talking. That is how we all understand it."
With this decisive victory, Spain now looks poised to contend for the World Cup title. "When you’re facing a team like us, we’re unbeatable," De la Fuente declared. "And that’s how we’re feeling right now."