Spain’s teamwork could still win the World Cup of superstars as Kylian Mbappe and France fall out. football news

France’s attacking firepower was central to building themselves into the World Cup semi-final against Spain. If Kylian Mbappe isn’t doing the damage, Ousmane Dembele certainly is. Or Michael Ollis. or Bradley Barcola. Or Desire Do.

As it happened, their threats were almost completely rebuffed. France also throw Ryan Cherky into the mix but he looks toothless. How? “They had the best team in the world in front of them,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said afterwards.

This so-called World Cup of superstars, with Mbappe and Lionel Messi scoring eight goals each and others including Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr., could still be won by a stronger collective.

It’s hard to argue with de la Fuente’s description of his team. It was his 13th victory in 14 major tournament appearances as head coach, having guided Spain to European Championship success two years ago. It must rank as one of the most reliable.

France were torn at one end and limited to only 0.30 expected goal chances at the other. “Spain dominated the game in every aspect,” said Patrick Vieira, who won the World Cup with France during his playing days. ITV.

Spain moved the ball with their usual composure, turning France around, opening gaps and then exploiting them. Their second goal, finished by Pedro Porro after a one-two with Dani Olmo, was one of many instances of France picking themselves apart and came from a passing move that started deep in their own half.

Spain have averaged 64 percent possession in the tournament so far. They made nearly 200 more passes in the final third than any other team. Their ability to suffocate opponents is unmatched. But they do it without the ball and with it too.

The occupation was actually roughly even against France. But there was a bigger difference in how the two teams used it and their off-the-ball efforts. While France defended individuals as a team, Spain did so as a choreographed unit.

“They won the game because they were out of possession today,” Roy Keane said. ITV. “We all like to see brilliant teams who are a joy to watch, but you have to remind yourself what they do out of possession. They worked in packs. They had intensity and purpose in their game. It was almost the opposite of the French.”

“Tactically they were all over the French team,” added Vieira. “When you look at Spain’s forward players, they worked really hard not to let the French players fall on the ball.”

France struggled to get the ball into shooting positions and when they did, they were met by defenders like Mark Cukrella, who were ready to put their bodies on the line. The result left Mbappe, Dembele, Olisse and the rest disappointed.

Spain certainly have a superstar of their own. Lamine Yamal has grown in the tournament since returning from a hamstring injury. He won a penalty for Spain opener Lucas Digne and tormented France’s left-back.

But the 19-year-old star has scored only once in seven matches so far. He hasn’t caught fire in the same way as other high-profile figures in the tournament. Although Spain doesn’t need him, it is their combined strength.

It’s hard to imagine France getting this far if Mbappe scored just once. The same could be said of Argentina and Messi, and indeed of England and Kane, although, in Bellingham, one of his teammates is now sharing the scoring burden.

“They play more in the moment,” as Gary Neville put it between the three semi-finalists other than Spain before the game.

All of which is not to say that Spain did not benefit from invaluable individual contributions.

Rodri is proving beyond doubt in the tournament that he is the best in the world at his position. He has won 11 of his 15 duels against France. But the technical and tactical qualities that define his game are also evident in their other midfielders.

Consider how Martin Jubimendi, who did not appear in the tournament at all, stepped in for him at half-time in the European Championship final win over England two years ago. It goes without saying that Pedri can play a similar role if needed this time around.

Up front, Mikel Warzabal has scored five goals but his deputy Ferran Torres has a similarly firm grasp of the role, and then there’s Mikel Merino, whose ability to influence games from the bench typifies the squad’s collective buy-in.

It all adds up to Spain being the strongest team, and most likely, the potential winner of the so-called World Cup of Superstars.