Spain, a squad that's been "dreadfully boring" for most of this World Cup, with a "lack of urgency" and "creativity" at times, pulled off one of the most stunning upsets against France, and coach Luis de la Fuente showed exactly why you never count out pure talent. They might have lacked flair before, but skill was never an issue, and De La Fuente knew precisely when to unleash his boys to devastating effect. France looked "unbeatable" only a few days prior, but Spain proved even modern-day giants can be slain when the game plan is perfect.
France Had No Answers For Spain's Midfield Stranglehold
When Spain stepped onto the pitch against France, they executed De La Fuente's game plan to perfection, utterly choking out France's incredible attacking group. Spain was absolutely dominant in the midfield, sucking all the imagination right out of France's attack by denying Michael Olise even an inch of space. Olise, the Bayern Munich star, found himself so smothered he actually retreated to the wide areas, a testament to Spain's suffocating pressure. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz were just stellar, controlling the tempo of the entire match and seemingly positioning themselves in every single passing lane France dared to try. It was a masterclass in denying creativity and dictating terms.Mbappé Befuddled as Spain Closes the Door
But it wasn't just the midfield that put France in a vice grip. The defensive line played out of their minds. Pau Cubarsi, who the source calls "the best young player of this tournament bar none," along with Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, and Pedro Porro, made life an absolute hell for Kylian Mbappé. Seriously, Mbappé lost more of his famous swagger with every passing minute of that game. He looked completely befuddled by what was happening around him and seemed utterly unable to accept that his team was being beaten, and soundly too. Spain drew a penalty in the first half and converted it, which was key to De La Fuente's strategy. It allowed them to really dial up the pressure on the French, squeeze the game, and patiently wait for opportunities to capitalize on France's mounting desperation. And boy, did it work. All of those things happened, and you get the feeling France still has no idea what even hit them. This wasn't just a win; it was a coaching masterclass by De La Fuente, coupled with excellence in execution from every single Spanish player. They showed that old school tactics, when backed by a team willing to wait for its moment, can absolutely take down anyone. Spain now rolls into the World Cup final, a place few thought they'd reach after their earlier performances. Get ready, because Spain just proved they're here to play.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.