Entering the FIFA World Cup, France was favored by bookmakers to claim the championship. However, Spain dashed those ambitions in Dallas on Tuesday, leaving the team confident that no remaining contender in the tournament can match their prowess.
Event Context
After a decisive 2-0 victory over Kylian Mbappe’s France in the semifinal, Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente confidently declared his team “unbeatable,” sending a clear message to either Argentina or England ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final.
Spain entered the tournament as the second favorites to win, trailing only France, but an initial draw against Cape Verde raised doubts about their ability to contend for the title. Those uncertainties have now been put to rest.
La Roja eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16, triumphed over Belgium in the quarterfinals, and then thoroughly outperformed France to secure their first World Cup final appearance since their victory in South Africa in 2010.
Spain awaits their final opponent after the upcoming semifinal match between Argentina and England on Wednesday. De la Fuente stated he has no particular preference for who they face next.
“At the moment, we don’t favor either team,” he remarked. “They each bring unique attributes. I would be thrilled to face Argentina because I’m friends with Lionel Scaloni, but I also have great respect for England. We welcome either team with enthusiasm.”
Player Focus
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box. Pedro Porro extended Spain’s lead early in the second half, thanks to an assist from Dani Olmo.
“They (France) encountered the best team in the world. We have that edge. These players truly deserve everything; they consistently show their dedication, generosity, solidarity, and talent day in and day out.”
Spain peaked at the right time
Spain achieved far more than a mere victory over France; they demonstrated superior strategy, skill, and determination against Didier Deschamps’ squad across all aspects of the game.
After the match, coach De la Fuente emphasized his team’s confidence, stating, “We fear no one.”
“Watching them play is a joy. Today was a true spectacle; what seems challenging, this team effortlessly performs,” he remarked.
This win highlighted Spain’s recent mastery over France, marking the third consecutive major tournament in which La Roja triumphed over Les Bleus, following their victories at the UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League. Additionally, this victory extended Spain’s unbeaten streak to 37 matches, matching the record for the longest unbeaten run by a European men’s national team, previously established by Italy from 2018 to 2021.
Remarkably, Spain has only allowed a single goal throughout the tournament.
De la Fuente noted, “We understood the need to gradually improve.”
Match Outlook
While we aimed to secure a victory in our opening match, we recognize that success is a journey. Our goal has always been to perform at our best during critical moments. Currently, we are in excellent physical condition and have achieved our highest level of play.
