Spain’s players celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between France and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 14, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
By Stephanie Shaakaa
France did not lose because they lacked attacking talent. They lost because Spain seized the centre of the pitch and never truly released it. Rodri, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo controlled the rhythm, resisted pressure and repeatedly launched attacks, while France’s celebrated forwards were left isolated.
Tchouaméni and Rabiot were overwhelmed, and once Spain established that authority, Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise and Barcola became names on the team sheet rather than decisive weapons. Spain’s 2–0 victory was first a tactical victory before it became a result on the scoreboard.
The painful irony was that France’s possible winning joker was sitting on the bench. N’Golo Kanté remained unused when his energy, ball recovery and ability to disrupt Spain’s passing rhythm were precisely what France needed.
Deschamps had the attacking stars, but he failed to build the midfield platform they required. Spain did not merely defeat France. They made France play a World Cup semi-final without a functioning midfield.
