France vs Spain: All possession, no threat

Spain take the ball and simply keep it: 61% of the touches in the opening quarter hour, with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz dictating from the double pivot. The plan is obvious and ruthless. If France never have the ball, they can never run.

Rabiot swipes an early sighter wide (5', 0.01 xG) and Álex Baena forces Maignan into a save (10'). Small chances, but the pattern is set. Spain probe. France chase.

Here's the strange part: France actually see more of the ball in this window, 57% of the touches. It buys them nothing. Then Cucurella slings a cross toward the back post, Yamal gets there before Digne, and Digne's clearing swing finds the 19-year-old's leg instead of the ball. Penalty.

Mikel Oyarzabal buries it low past Maignan (21', 0.79 xG), his fifth goal of the tournament. Spain lead, and to twist the knife, France lose Saliba to a back injury before the half hour.

Spain nearly double it. A one-touch move slices France open and Fabián Ruiz's shot (37', 0.12 xG) is kept out only after Upamecano's intervention. Barcola scuffs France's reply wide (35', 0.03 xG).

France reach the interval without a single shot on target. Mbappé has barely touched the ball. Rodri has smothered Olise. The scoreboard says one goal; the pitch says a chasm.

Half Time: FRA 0-1 ESP.

Deschamps needs a response and France do hold more of the ball after the break, 54% of the touches in this window. Possession without penetration: their xG for the spell is exactly 0.00.

Spain show them how it's done. Pedro Porro plays a one-two with Dani Olmo, strolls into the box past a flat-footed Lacroix, and slots past Maignan (57', 0.52 xG). A right-back has just produced more attacking threat in one move than France's entire forward line all night.

Two goals down, France finally stir. Tchouaméni flicks over the bar (64', 0.06 xG). Sit with that number: 0.06 is the best chance France create in the entire match. Mbappé's tame effort is saved (66'), then Doué's too (67').

Deschamps empties the bench, Theo Hernández and Cherki on, but Spain just pass their way through the storm. This is their quietest window of the night and they still look the safer team.

Substitute Ferran Torres heads a good look wide for Spain (77', 0.06 xG), and Yamal even has a goal chalked off for a tight offside. France throw bodies forward: Doué is saved again (80'), Dembélé twice tests Unai Simón in stoppage time, and Mbappé, booked and frustrated, sends a late free kick over (88', 0.04 xG).

The final ledger is brutal. Ten shots each, five on target each, but 1.63 xG for Spain against 0.31 for France, their lowest in a World Cup match in 60 years. Mbappé ends without a shot on target; Yamal makes it seven wins from seven against him. Spain march to the final. Deschamps walks off into retirement.

Full Time: FRA 0-2 ESP.

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