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World Cup · SF · Jul 14, 2026
midgetlover
midgetlover@midgetlover
☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Jul 14 (edited)

I feel so vindicated after saying throughout the tournament that if there was one team who could stop this French 'super attack', it is Spain. This Spanish side is so perfectly built to counter the exact kind of football the French like to play and have proven to be a thorn in their side for a few years now. The way they completely neutralized this French front 4 by just keeping, passing, and not allowing the French to have any time on the ball was an absolute joy to watch. This domination almost reminded me of the 2010 squad, not with as much 'aura', but just so incredibly professional. As much as I love Pedri, I do have to say that a midfield of Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, and Olmo just works so well. The thing with Pedri is that he often does a lot of the work that Rodri already does for the Spanish NT. This makes it difficult for him to have a consistent role in this team as it leads to DLF pushing him forward, which just is not his role. Fabian, on the other hand, has a completely different profile which complements Rodri and Olmo much better, and that was seen today as Spain's midfield 3 completely nullified Tchouameni and Rabiot. Olmo, also, has quietly had yet another excellent tournament for Spain while Rodri is back to bossing the midfield and dictating the entire tempo of the game like he never had that ACL injury. It also didn't help that France just allowed Spain to take so much control, and outside of a couple of long balls from deep and long shots, they barely managed to create anything of substance. It's almost as if they'd accepted their fate as soon as Porro scored the second and never once managed to threaten Simon (outside of that one brainfade moment). Special shoutout to Cubarsi who has had an unreal tournament at the heart of a Spanish defense that has been rock solid throughout. If Spain manages to win the entire thing, he, for me, would be a massive contender for not only YPOTT (which pretty much seems locked on at this point) but also POTT.

Player of the match
Fabián Ruiz
6
Lucas
Lucas@carbonfiverr
☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Jul 14

Spain dominated from the start, according to my gimmick i have to talk about the midfield again because i have every single game of Spain. They used the midfield they had in 2024 again, yayyyy!!! Took until quarter finals but they now use a good midfield again for two games in a row. I do of course like Pedri, but with Olmo and Rodri he doesn’t work. With this midfield they perfectly dealt with France their entire attack which often went through Olise down the middle. While the French wingers both were dealt with easily too, and also had a bad game. More or less completely nullifying the deadly French attack, especially Mbappé who couldn’t be reached. Digne with just an awful challenge that led to the penalty after generally a good tournament by him, definitely because he left Villa. Spain just deserved this one, they came out with a plan to beat France and they worked it out perfectly. They will be huge favorites to win the final. A great tournament by France nonetheless, obviously wouldve hoped for more but losing to Spain is not a shame. Not the greatest of fans of Deschamps as a manager but he has done an incredible job for 14 years now and deserves a nice retirement. Very excited about France being led by Zidane though. Fun stat, never has someone who won the Ballon d’Or before the world cup, gone on to win the world cup, lmao. Man of the match is Fabian Ruiz for me, the man was just everywhere and he makes this midfield work. I think he’s generally very underrated as well. Such a good player.

Player of the match
Fabián Ruiz
3
Theo
Theo@theolovesvilla
☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Jul 14

Excellent game plan from Spain to neutralise the French attack! That Spanish midfield and defence were absolutely brilliant. France couldn't really get going from minute one, I've really criticised De La Fuente's team selection and tactics, however tonight he got it absolutely spot on. Unfortunately for the French, they couldn't do a lot to get through the Spaniards, on such a special day for them it must be hard to take too. All that promise from beforehand in the tournament led to nothing... It was quite obvious that if you attacked the weak links you can score against this French super team. Digne and Rabiot to be precise with their lack of mobility, they were very poor and Spain consistently attacked their left hand side, which crumbled with ease. France were forced to long ball, which is not their best feature, because of the terrific Spanish setup. This is a huge way to keep them out, nullifying the wingers and midfielders, isolating Mbappe, which to be honest I was shocked he didn't score out of nothing. Very poor from every French player today. MOTM for me was Rodri, he's been Spains best player so far. Absolute dictator (not Mbappe) in the team and looks back to his best after a struggle of form post-ACL injury. If Spain win the tournament then he has been a huge key to why. You could pick anyone from that Spain midfield or defence though, all absolutely flawless tonight. Congratulations Spain! England vs Argentina next for the 2nd spot in the final. Very nervous but I believe we can do it! 🦁🦁🦁

Player of the match
Rodri
3
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Ratings

Everyone
3.5
1012 ratings
☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★
Pedro Porro
Player of the match
Pedro Porro

Lineups

16
Maignan
5
Koundé
4
Upamecano
17
Saliba
3
Digne
8
Tchouaméni
14
Rabiot
7
Dembélé
11
Olise
12
Barcola
10
Mbappé
23
Simón
12
Porro
22
Paredes
14
Laporte
24
Cucurella
16
Rodri
8
Ruiz
19
Yamal
10
Olmo
15
Baena
21
Oyarzabal
France · Substitutes
13N. KantéMF
21L. HernándezDF
1B. SambaGK
19T. HernándezDF
23R. RisserGK
9M. ThuramFW
15I. KonatéDF
22J. MatetaFW
26M. LacroixDF
6M. KonéMF
24R. CherkiMF
2M. GustoDF
25M. AklioucheFW
18W. Zaïre-EmeryMF
20D. DouéFW
D. Deschamps (Coach)
Spain · Substitutes
2Marc PubillDF
9GaviMF
17Nico WilliamsFW
13Joan GarcíaGK
11Yeremy PinoFW
20PedriMF
18Martín ZubimendiMF
4Eric GarcíaDF
7Ferran TorresFW
26Borja IglesiasFW
6Mikel MerinoMF
1David RayaGK
5Marcos LlorenteDF
3Álex GrimaldoDF
25Víctor MuñozFW
Luis de la Fuente (Coach)
Referee
Iván Barton (El Salvador)

Key events

FranceSpain
22'
⚽️
Mikel Oyarzabal (P)
Maxence LacroixWilliam Saliba
30'
Manu KonéAdrien Rabiot
45'
Désiré DoueBradley Barcola
57'
58'
⚽️
Pedro Porro
Daniel Carvajal
Theo HernandezLucas Digne
72'
Rayan CherkiMichael Olise
72'
74'
Ferrán TorresMikel Oyarzabal
78'
Mikel MerinoDaniel Carvajal
78'
PedriFabián Ruiz
84'
Marcos LlorentePedro Porro
84'
Nico WilliamsAlejandro Rodríguez

Match stats

49%Possession51%
10Shots10
3Shots on target2
7Corners1
0Saves3
11Fouls12
4Offsides5
2Yellow cards1

Match info

Competition
World Cup
Round
SF
Date
14 Jul 2026
Kick-off
19:00
Venue
Dallas Stadium
Referee
Iván Barton

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