The World Cup’s arrival in North America, culminating in the largest media market globally, has inevitably shifted the spotlight to the tournament’s star players.
Fox’s coverage has leaned into this narrative, promoting every match as a high-stakes showdown between elite footballers rather than a collective effort of two teams over 90 minutes. One semi-final has been framed as MESSI versus KANE (or MESSI against BELLINGHAM, depending on the broadcaster). Conversely, the other semi-final focused on hopes that Lamine Yamal’s hamstring would be fully recovered after his April injury. The matchup of MBAPPÉ against 600 PASSES PER GAME lacks the same punch.
Despite being Europe’s reigning champions, Spain has not received the same level of enthusiasm during their journey to a second World Cup final as their opponents. Many questioned their ability to compete with France, while some online critics labeled Luis de la Fuente’s squad as unexciting.
There was no dramatic moment of Spain’s coach appealing to the 70,176 fans in Dallas, asking if they were entertained. That isn’t the accolade he and his team seek. Viewers may perceive Spain as less thrilling compared to other high-tempo teams in the tournament, but as France discovered on Tuesday, their strategy can be deadly when executed effectively.
During Euro 2024, De la Fuente’s squad showcased a similar approach, culminating in their fourth continental title. They aimed to dismantle opponents by forcing them to endure without possession. Rodri solidified his Ballon d’Or candidacy by anchoring the midfield and enabling his teammates to engage more offensively with his adept shielding. Álvaro Morata silenced his critics by converting the opportunities presented to him, finally stepping up as the leader to unlock Spain’s potential. Flanking him were two of the most formidable young wingers: Nico Williams on the left and Lamine Yamal on the right.
Most of these key players returned for the World Cup. From the backline, Unai Simón has frequently ventured out of his box as the team positions itself higher up the field. Rodri has been in exceptional form this summer, a welcome sight following an injury-plagued 2025-26 season that followed a serious anterior cruciate ligament tear. Fabián Ruiz has emerged as a reliable partner in the double pivot, distributing passes down the flanks when options to Dani Olmo are not available.
However, much attention has been drawn to Spain’s struggle to convert their impressive team play into goals. Lamine Yamal and Williams returned from spring injuries; while Williams has logged only 98 minutes in seven matches, Yamal has not yet reached his peak form. Morata was omitted from the squad due to a slump in performance with Como. In summary, Spain’s intricate buildup has frequently faltered in the final third.
A system like Spain’s can appear less glamorous without a standout striker. Just as Queen wouldn’t shine without Freddie Mercury or U2 without Bono, even the finest compositions can fade into the background without a commanding presence. A fully fit Lamine Yamal could have been that impactful player, but this World Cup has been predominantly defined by strikers and goalkeepers, overshadowing the inverted wingers who have come to dominate the Champions League and Premier League recently.
Nonetheless, Lamine Yamal made a significant contribution in the match against France. Attackers know to anticipate overzealous and oblivious defenders making errant clearances, a scenario Mathys Tel encountered in May. As Lucas Digne prepared to side-volley a clearance, he inadvertently opened a gap for Lamine Yamal to exploit off the ball. Although Yamal does not receive an assist for winning a penalty, his actions created a chance with a 0.78xG in a match determined by minute details.
From that point, Spain’s control and precise execution outshined France’s unpredictable chaos. With the exception of their match against Paraguay—a team with less talent—France managed to navigate through less organized opponents. Their cutthroat performance against those teams labeled them as tournament favorites, despite a relatively easy route to the quarter-finals. Morocco was expected to provide a challenge but appeared disoriented and lacking creativity before the match began.
Spain displayed no such hesitation, having previously defeated France at the same stage in Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League. Few national squads possess the cohesion of Spain, with many players having developed during the post-Guardiola era. This embodies the football they aspired to play. These are the matches they envisioned winning, and through remarkable dedication to their defensive roles, they succeeded in limiting a previously prolific France.
Of course, the case for De la Fuente’s pragmatic approach weakens if Spain fails to capitalize on the luck they created. If Lamine Yamal had not drawn that penalty, France might not have been on the back foot before halftime. If Olmo cannot deliver that perfectly timed pass into Pedro Porro’s path while under pressure, there wouldn’t be a two-goal cushion. A disappointing draw against Cape Verde illustrated their worst-case scenario, yet De la Fuente remained steadfast in his beliefs. Ultimately, a team as skilled as Spain has the potential to break through if all players are aligned.
Spain is built to make opponents suffer when they are not at their best. This model can be effective against any team in international football, even—especially—formidable France.
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