The Fabulous 'Rojo' Destiny

Among all the semi-finalists, only Spain had truly faced significant challenges until now. France, England, and Argentina, with varying degrees of artistic flair, had largely done the bare minimum to reach the knockout stages. Failing to reach this point would have been a disappointment for all of them. Did this make a difference? In many matches, it felt like the French players were simply superior.

There was no collective dynamic that could truly challenge them because the talent gap was so wide. However, when the opposition's level rose, the team struggled to respond. Few, I believe, imagined Spain would so decisively overcome the tournament favorites. We can't know how the game would have unfolded if Digne hadn't conceded the penalty on Yamal; perhaps that incident rattled French confidence and solidified Spain's game plan. Nevertheless, it's striking how France created virtually no scoring opportunities or shots on target, which is remarkable for a team that started with Mbappé, Olise, Barcola, and Dembélé.

The interesting takeaway is that this was far from Spain defending with their backs against the wall. Or perhaps they did so in the most efficient way possible: by dominating possession, controlling the tempo, and keeping their opponents far from their goal. This strategy proved sufficient, as the Spanish conceded only one goal throughout their five matches in the competition.

Luis de la Fuente risks transforming from a relative unknown to a significant name in football history within a couple of years. While Spain is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in the tournament, it's clear that the improved performances of Rodri and Yamal have fueled the team's collective growth. Furthermore, replacing Pedri was never going to be an easy decision, but Fabián Ruiz's introduction elevated the team to another level.

Perhaps this was, in fact, part of the French national team's problem. It always felt like Rabiot and Tchouaméni weren't quite up to the task. Rodri dominated the midfield and played a crucial role in Spain's ball circulation. Oyarzabal frequently drifted inside the block, drawing defenders and creating space for runs. Again: Rabiot and Tchouaméni, or in another setup, Rabiot and Koné, were sufficient when the stakes were lower. When the demands increased, their structural issues became evident.

Spain may not lift the World Cup trophy, but De la Fuente will undoubtedly emerge with credit from a World Cup campaign that, ironically, began somewhat erratically. Much like the last World Cup champions.