A special team beats brilliant individuals - how silky Spain flattened France
BBC News 2026-07-15 00:28:35
Context: Spain secured their place in the World Cup final with a dominant 2-0 victory over France in the semi-final match. The Spanish team, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, produced a masterclass in control and silky gameplay, leaving France stunned. With this win, Spain will face either Argentina or England in the World Cup final.
Key Facts
- Spain equalled Italy's record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, with 37 matches without a loss, under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente.
- Lamine Yamal, a teenage superstar, has never lost a game for Spain, with a 100% win rate in 14 World Cup and Euros games when starting, the best record of any European player.
- Spain kept six clean sheets at a single World Cup edition, a first in the competition's history, with their latest being a 2-0 win over France.
- The Spanish team's xG figure faced against France (0.3) was the lowest by a nation in a semi-final tie in the World Cup since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.
- Spain's victory over France was marked by a midfield masterclass, with Les Bleus managing just three attempts on target, and former Premier League champion Chris Sutton describing Spain's performance as "flattening" France.