Spain absolutely dominated France, securing their spot in just their second World Cup final after a stunning 2-0 victory that left the world reeling. Many were wondering how France, with stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, could be stopped. Turns out, Spain had the answer, reminding everyone why they are European champions and are now unbeaten in a record-equalling 37 matches. This wasn't some lucky win, this was a flat-out masterclass.
De La Fuente's Squad Is Unstoppable Right Now
Luis de la Fuente's men might have flown under the radar at this World Cup, even drawing with debutants Cape Verde in their opener. Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal has only scored one goal. But trust me, they've hit peak form at the perfect moment. They've kept an incredible six clean sheets in their seven games! Chris Sutton, who was at the game, nailed it: "Spain scalped France, they flattened France." He added, "We have given France so much praise in this tournament, but they were swatted aside by silky Spain." Roy Keane echoed that, saying, "France were not playing as a team. Brilliant individuals not playing as a team. Spain have been absolutely brilliant, an absolute joy to watch." This team-first approach has paid off huge, especially considering de la Fuente was a low-key hire back in 2022. He's led them to a Nations League triumph, Euro 2024 glory, and now the World Cup final. Talk about an emphatic response to the doubters!The Numbers Behind the Masterclass Are WILD
Seriously, the stats are insane. Spain has equalled Italy's record for the longest unbeaten run in international football at 37 matches. You ready for this? The five European players with the most combined World Cup and European Championship appearances without ever losing all play for Spain: Aymeric Laporte (22), Oyarzabal (20), Fabian Ruiz (16), Mikel Merino (14), and Yamal (14). And Lamine Yamal? He's never lost a game for Spain. He's started 12 games across the World Cup and Euros, ending on the winning side in every single one. That's a 100% win rate, the best of any European player. Spain is also the first team in World Cup history to keep six clean sheets at a single edition. Against France, they faced an xG figure of just 0.3, the lowest in a semi-final tie since Brazil against Sweden in '94. They even needed a 91st minute winner against Portugal and an 88th minute winner against Belgium to get to the semi-final. But against France? They were up 2-0 inside an hour. So, get ready for Sunday's final. Spain will face either Argentina or England. After a dominant performance like this, silencing a powerhouse like France, Spain has earned their spot as favorites. It's going to be a must-watch!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.