Spain’s clinical edge
Spain needed only two real chances to beat France, and they took both. Their first goal came from the penalty spot, Mikel Oyarzabal converting after Lucas Digne caught Lamine Yamal with a wild attempted clearance.
Their second was a slick team move, Pedro Porro combining with Dani Olmo before finishing calmly past Mike Maignan.
Those two moments explain the difference in shots on target, level at two apiece, yet Spain converted both while France managed none.
Spain also had the edge in quality of chance, five shots from inside the box to France’s three, and three big chances created compared to France’s zero, backed up by seven key passes to France’s four.
The World Cup’s best defence
France’s vaunted front three of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise were kept largely at arm’s length, and the numbers show why.
Spain won 21 tackles to France’s 14, made 17 successful headers against France’s seven, and edged duels won 51 to 41.
Unai Simon was called into action twice and produced two saves, including a crucial stop to deny Mbappe late in the first half, while France’s higher crossing volume, 20 attempts to Spain’s eight, rarely troubled a defence marshalled by Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi.
William Saliba’s first half injury only added to France’s defensive uncertainty, with Maxence Lacroix forced into an unwanted early introduction.
Spain’s win was built on doing the basics better than one of the most talented squads in the tournament, discipline at the back, control through midfield, and ruthless efficiency in the moments that mattered.
Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
