Spain will be there in the last four. After dismissing Belgium (2-1), this Friday evening, at the end of an overall controlled match, La Roja continues its journey in this World Cup and offers itself a prestigious display against France. A clash between two of the big favorites of the tournament, which the Spanish approach with ambition but also with deep respect for the Blues. One thing is certain, the qualification against the Belgians confirmed the qualities which make the strength of this Spanish selection.
A defense in place, an irregular attack
True to its identity, La Roja once again imposed its collective mastery, its possession game and its ability to stifle its opponent, even if it conceded its first goal since the start of the competition (after 650 minutes of invincibility). “Very happy, we move on to the next match, that was the goal, it wasn’t easy. It’s the first goal we conceded, we were keen to keep it but the most important thing is done”said Aymeric Laporte at the final whistle.
This collective solidity, in fact, remains one of Spain’s main assets. His midfield dominates most of his opponents, like Rodri’s new masterclass, while his technical quality allows him to control the pace of matches. But Belgium also showed that this team was not invulnerable. For the first time in the tournament, the Spanish defense was found wanting, a warning before facing a much more dangerous French attack. And in the Spanish ranks, no one is hiding that the march will be even higher against the Blues.
La Roja fears the Blues
“A big challenge to eliminate France? Of course yes, it’s legit. We have to work to try to beat France. We’re not the only team trying. It will be a great match, it’s a great team facing a great team.”thus recognizes Luis de la Fuente at the microphone of M6. A speech shared by the entire locker room, where we emphasize the exceptional nature of this semi-final. “France ? It’s a knockout match, these are two elite teams. We’re really hungry and we really want to get through this round.”confirmed the hero of the evening, Mikel Merino.
Therefore, if Spain displays logical confidence after its convincing performance, it does not mask a certain apprehension before returning to the Blues. “It’s not the first time (that I play France), it’s less and less special. We are going to play against a great selection, it’s a dream since I was born, we dream of these situations, we hope to have a big match to reach the final. A fear? There is a certain fear like any encounter, you never know what can happen. We know that they have very strong individuals, we will do our best and we will see what happens”Laporte admitted again.
“No team played us evenly. They all fall back against us. If France has to fear a team, it’s Spain.”said Lamine Yamal, sure of himself. Despite the optimism displayed, La Roja knows that it will probably have to deliver its most successful performance of the tournament to hope to reach the final. Dominant in the game, impressive collectively but now less impervious defensively and sometimes amorphous offensively, Spain will indeed have to show their best version. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough against the Blues whose athletic power, speed and individuality are already giving rise to a certain fear on the other side of the Pyrenees. One thing is certain, the appointment is made for what promises to be one of the most beautiful posters of this World Cup.
