Spain have beat France 2-0 to secure their spot in the World Cup final, where they will face the winners of England vs Argentina.
Mikel Oyarzabal give Spain the lead after just 22 minutes, as Lamine Yamal nipped in front of Lucas Digne to win a penalty.
Heading in at half-time, Spain led 1-0 with France struggling to get going, having 45% of the ball and only managing two shots.
The second half started with a similar pattern, with Spain eventually turning their domination into a 2-0 lead through Pedro Porro.
While France managed to get on the ball more after Spain’s second goal, they were unable to create anything of note.
In this article, we’ll cover
Control and swarm
Spain are well known for controlling games with a high percentage of possession, dominating the ball and defending with the ball.
This was evident once again in the France game, as Spain’s plan was clear, keep the ball, slow the tempo and minimise the chaos.
Something Spain do better than any team in the world is disengage the opposition counterpress, connecting small passes straight after regaining the ball.
The opposition then get attracted to the small passes in their counterpress, allowing Spain to then reset possession with a backwards pass, making it too difficult for the opposition to continue their press and make up the distance.
From here, Spain are able to build with settled possession, getting on the ball and looking to build through the thirds.
Spain were then able to push France deeper into their own half, getting set in their shape to sustain pressure and keep them pinned in.
The counterpress is a huge part in this, reacting quickly to put pressure on the ball and stop France getting out in transition, where their main danger comes from.
Unai Simon was important to this too between the sticks, ready to come off his line and protect the space behind Spain’s high line.
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France defensive schemes
Didier Deschamps’ side initially set up in a 4-4-2 midblock, looking to absorb pressure and hit Spain with pace on the break.
But there were issues for France in their defensive shape, as the dynamic movements from the full-backs and forwards constantly tested the defenders in a zonal scheme and their communication.
With Michael Olise looking to follow Rodri, Kylian Mbappe would press Pau Cubarsi, leaving Aymeric Laporte with time and space on the ball.
The natural player to jump and apply pressure would be Ousmane Dembele, but due to the movement of Marc Cucurella pushing forward, it stopped France from jumping out and applying a man to man press.
Deschamps had to make changes at half-time, being 1-0 down and chasing the game, so he tried to tweak the pressing structure.
France began to lock on man for man, with both central midfielders jumping onto Rodri and Ruiz, moving Dembele central to press Laporte and allowing Olise to follow Cucurella.
Spain take advantage
With the defensive adjustments from France at half-time leaning into more 1v1 matchups, Spain were able to take advantage for their second goal.
Porro picking up the ball below Yamal on the right, was able to shift inside and find a pass into Dani Olmo.
Meanwhile, Digne had been dragged wide by Yamal, with Maxence Lacroix on Oyarzabal, Dayot Upamecano on Olmo and Jules Kounde tucked inside on Alex Baena.
Once Porro made his pass, he followed the ball, attacking the gate between the full-back and centre-back.
Lacroix was simultaneously dragged out of position by Oyarzabal showing on the same diagonal angle as Olmo recieved on.
With neither Desire Doue or Manu Kone following the run of Porro, a smart flick from Olmo found Porro arriving in space, who found the net to make it 2-0.
Midfield masterclass
Rodri and Fabian Ruiz were at the heart of everything Spain did against France, with superb performances both on and off the ball.
As previously mentioned, the control Spain have on the game is key to their game plan, that comes largely from the combinations between Rodri and Ruiz.
Connecting those small passes between them to disengage the press, slowing down the tempo and settling Spain into complete tactical control.
But considering the pace France have on the break, controlling the centre is vital to stopping those transition attacks before they become dangerous.
Rodri won seven of his 12 ground duels against France, winning all four of his aerial duels, making four tackles and two ball recoveries.
Ruiz also made seven recoveries, winning five of his seven ground duels, making four tackles and two interceptions.
The spanish pair showed their positioning and football IQ could match the pure speed of France’s attack, limiting the best attacking unit in the world to scraps.
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