Soccer
Have Spain cemented themselves as World Cup favourites after France demolition?
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What a difference a few weeks makes.
Spain started their World Cup campaign with a stunning 0-0 draw with Cabo Verde back on June 15. Just under a month later, they punched their ticket to the World Cup final.
La Roja suffocated previously high-flying France on Tuesday in the semi-final, nullifying the tournament's most potent attack in an impressive performance as they ran out 2-0 winners.
It was a startling display at Dallas Stadium, as the Spanish possession game and counter-press completely took away everything that France have excelled at throughout this competition.
Michael Olise, the creative fulcrum for Les Bleus, was not allowed to operate at his usual lofty levels. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola were repeatedly denied after having been near-unstoppable on the wings until Tuesday.
And Kylian Mbappe, the co-leader in the Golden Boot race and France's spearhead, was left with little more to do than pick up a frustrated late yellow card as the clock ticked down on France's World Cup hopes.
Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
What Spain accomplished against the French cannot be overstated, and they now head into the final on the back of a 37-match unbeaten streak based on ball dominance, tactical superiority and an unmistakeable team-first philosophy.
Having dispatched France they way they did, it's fair to place the title of favourites on Spain.
Yes, there are still two other teams with designs on winning this World Cup. England and Argentina will face off Wednesday in the other semi-final, and it is sure to be a compelling contest backed by a long, contentious history between the two nations.
However, neither the Argentines nor the English have looked anywhere close to as good as Spain have in this tournament, and neither have had to go up against opposition as challenging as the French.
Also, with one fewer day of rest and after both sides have already engaged in several battles just to get to this stage, the winner of England vs. Argentina could be running on fumes ahead of Sunday's final in New Jersey.
It all points to Spain as the team to beat this weekend.
But, as always, they'll have to earn it on the pitch. After what they just showed against France, is anyone willing to bet against them?
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