France’s attacking firepower was the focus of the build-up to their World Cup semi-final against Spain. If it wasn’t Kylian Mbappe who did the damage, it would surely be Ousmane Dembele. Or Michael Olise. Or Bradley Barcola. Or Desire Doue.
As it transpired, their threat was almost entirely negated. France threw Rayan Cherki into the mix too but were made to look toothless. How? “In front of them they had the best team in the world,” said Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente afterwards.This so-called World Cup of superstars, in which Mbappe and Lionel Messi have scored eight goals each, and others, including Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, have also delivered, may yet be won by the strongest collective.
France were torn through at one end and limited to chances worth only 0.30 expected goals at the other. “Spain dominated the game in every single aspect,” said Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner with France during his playing days, on ITV.
Spain circulated the ball with their usual composure, moving France around, opening gaps and then exploiting them. Their second goal, finished by Pedro Porro after a one-two with Dani Olmo, was just one of many examples of France being pulled apart and came from a passing move which began deep in their own half.
- Spain have averaged 64 per cent possession at the tournament so far. They have made roughly 200 more passes in the final third than any other side. Their capacity to suffocate opponents is unrivalled. But they do it without the ball as well as with it.
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