France 0-2 Spain
Do you get the feeling that we have all been duped? It was all good fun when Spain were failing to beat Cape Verde and we wondered whether an obsession with possession might lead to them being blunted with some ease. And then Spain got stronger and became the same mythical beast that nobody could slay two years ago.
This World Cup semi-final was sold as a titanic clash, the best team in the tournament vs the champions of Europe. We barely even got a contest. France had two off-target shots in the first half, the equivalent of one light jab or two across six rounds. By the time they flurried towards the end, Spain simply patronised them with their passing, like holding a small child on the head while it flails and ails.
Two years ago, Lamine Yamal was the breakout star. In this World Cup Yamal has merely been a sideshow, perfectly satisfactory but hardly a star turn and with suspicions about his match fitness. Mikel Oyarzabal has got the goals, but even he leaves you wondering just how good Spain might be with a truly elite centre forward. Best not to think about it.
On the Road USA
