Spain are through to the World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in a tactically disciplined semi-final that was less close than the surface statistics suggested.
The result extended Spain’s unbeaten run in men’s international football to 37 matches, equalling the all-time record held by Italy. It also continued a remarkable run of semi-final efficiency: Spain have now advanced from seven of their eight semi-finals across the World Cup and European Championship, a conversion rate of 88 per cent that stands as the highest among European nations with at least two such appearances.
The underlying numbers told a clear story. Spain generated an expected goals figure of 1.63 against France’s 0.26. France had the edge in touches inside the penalty area, 20 to Spain’s 13, and edged shooting accuracy with three shots on target to Spain’s two from a total of ten apiece. But Spain created two clear-cut chances and converted both. Possession finished 51 per cent to 49 per cent in Spain’s favour.
Lamine Yamal continued what is becoming a genuinely remarkable record in major tournaments. The young forward has now played 12 matches as a starter for Spain in major competitions and won all 12. His head-to-head record against Kylian Mbappé now reads nine wins from 11 meetings across all competitions.
For France coach Didier Deschamps, the defeat added to a specific pattern: four of his 16 competitive losses as France manager have come against Spain, accounting for 25 per cent of his total defeats in official fixtures.
Spain now await their opponent in the final.
