SPAIN ARE WORLD CUP FINAL BOUND! France vs. Spain [FULL REACTION] | ESPN FC
Tune into ESPN FC's Steve Nicol and Mark Donaldson to recap France vs. Spain in the 2026 World Cup semifinals. The duo then briefly lookahead to Argentina vs. England in the other World Cup semifinal, who set up a date with Lamine Yamal and Spain in the World Cup Final. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN
Transcript
[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Welcome to ESPN FC Live, presented by Mobile. Spain has beaten France in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas and become the first World Cup finalist in 2026 by two goals to nil. Mark Donaldson alongside Stevie Nicol. Stevie, how big a surprise was this for you? >> Um if you'd told me before the game this was going to be the result, um I would have been a little surprised. However, [snorts] having sat through the 90 minutes, it really isn't a surprise the way the game panned out. I thought Spain thoroughly deserved to win this game. Uh at absolutely no stage in proceedings did France have any control in this match. None at all. Any control was was Spain. Passing the ball around, France couldn't keep it, couldn't get it. So, yeah. Um Spain deserved to win. Uh and 2-0 doesn't doesn't flatter them. It could have been more, actually. Um couple of good calls from linesmen, particularly on Yamal, who scored a great goal, but was just offside. But, yeah. Surprised before the game I would have been, but having watched the game, no. The best team won. Spain deserved to win. And France picked up the worst day to perform the way they did in this whole tournament. >> What did Spain do so well today that meant France couldn't do what they do so well, well at all? >> Well, I think the middle of the park, uh France never got a hold of it whatsoever. I was actually a little surprised that that Tchouaméni started. I I thought Koné and Rabiot uh had been a great partnership. I thought Rabiot had been one of the best central midfielders in the tournament so far. Uh so, that surprised me, but yeah, Rodri um in particular, Dani Olmo and Ruiz really controlled most of the game through the middle of the field. Uh and France just never got to grips with it. >> I loved the intensity from Spain right from the start, and it was an intensity that went throughout the 90 minutes. I didn't see that intensity from France today. I thought they were sluggish. And given how they've had probably one of the easiest routes through into the semi-finals, that surprised me. Why do you think France was sluggish today? >> Well, they just didn't get it their own way at any stage. Uh and I think they were just not quite sure what to do, which for a team as experienced as they are, I think the goal and the penalty, the certainly the first goal from the penalty sums up France. You know, Digne was just not aware that Yamal was close to him. He was laxadaisical Um and and just wasn't sharp in that moment. Just assumed there was nobody there. Wasn't Didn't quite make sure there was nobody there. And of course when you get your nose in front the way Spain did and then the way Spain keep the ball it's always going to be hard regardless of whether you're France or anybody else. >> Let's get to the first goal. 22 minutes. You've spoken about Lucas Digne. >> Yep. >> He's actually when we've watched it back with slow motion he's he's taken a couple of looks. One before the cross has come in and secondly when the ball is in the air. So he's aware that Yamal is what he thinks pretty far away. But he's got no clue once he's turned his back to Yamal that he's facing the ball where the Spanish winger is. How big a surprise was it um that he [clears throat] continued to play with Lucas Digne after that when Yamal just looked like he could run at him and have him on toast every single time? >> Well, I wouldn't quite go that far. I mean Yamal can look dangerous but I think unfortunately for for France uh and Deschamps having a look around the field there was a lot of problems. It wasn't though Digne was the was one problem that just stood that stood out and you could see right get him off and this will change it. I mean he must have been scratching his head thinking how do I change this and who do I change? Uh and probably he was thinking more in terms of going forward. Do I change the middle of the park? Obviously Rabiot had to come off >> Yep. >> because he'd picked up a yellow and actually almost got a second one before half time with a a questionable challenge that I think he got away with. So he had to come off. So that was enforced upon him. Then you got to think well what am I going to do with the front players cuz nobody including Mbappé was in the game whatsoever. So, yeah. I think I think obviously Digne had a tough game, struggled. But, unfortunately for Deschamps, um he probably had seven, eight, or nine others that were struggling as well. >> Correct decision to award the penalty for you? >> 100%. Not even Not even a doubt. Not a doubt. >> When you see some of the France players saying to the referee, "But, there's a handball." They need to know the laws of the game. The hand's by the side. He's got his back turned. There's no issue whatsoever. No, of Of course it wasn't. Now, after half an hour, another blow for France when William Saliba, with no one really around him, pulled up. He's clearly Whatever he's done, he was unable to continue. Lacroix came on. And And you can see Deschamps there. No wonder he's looking like this because he's a goal down. And now, he's not a man down, but he's a a top central defender down. And he's had to bring on Lacroix. >> Yeah, and actually, I I thought I just triggered something there. If I remember correctly, it was just after Lacroix having to come on, that Rabiot made a challenge in the middle of the park that could have gotten a yellow. >> Was it? >> And I was thinking, "Wow, everything's going wrong. And this could be even worse." But, but Rabiot and Deschamps got away with it because the referee was lenient, which is why he took him off at halftime. But, yeah, it was certainly one of those days. Nothing went right for them. Um the penalty's a a horrible defensive mistake. It's It's a lapse in concentration. Uh Saliba unfortunately gets injured. You've got to take your best midfielder off in Rabiot before he gets sent off. I mean, so just little by little, as the game progressed, more and more was going wrong for France. >> A lot of questions coming in. This one's interesting. Did France win this, or did Spain lose this game, Stevie? >> 100% Spain won it. No question. I I started off by saying that that at no stage from the kickoff to the final whistle did you feel as though France were in any sort of control? They may have had a better territorial advantage towards the end because they were two nil down, but it was here and there. It was what can we do? There was nothing controlled about it. Uh so, yeah. Absolutely doesn't You cannot say anything other than Spain actually won this game. >> Mark, you asked me last week about what gear Spain are in. What are they in now heading into the final? Have they still got much more to give? >> [sighs and gasps] >> You know, I did say I remember saying I thought they were in third gear. >> Yep. >> But maybe this is what they are. You know, maybe they're not going to play at a a pace above a what of what they do. Cuz at the end of the day, regardless of how well you think France were or weren't, they still controlled it the way they play. So, maybe they don't have any more gears. Maybe they are just secure at the back. They are strong in the middle, controlled in the middle. And they have players up front who on paper may not not look like superstars, but actually can put the ball in the back of the net. So, uh So, yeah. No, this this this Spain side I think what we saw and what we've seen today is what they are. They're not going to give you anything. They're not going to totally demolish you, but they're going to beat you. >> Mhm. >> That's kind of where I see them. >> Spain played the game that they played today and they were outstanding at doing so. After France went a goal down, did you notice any changes from their tactics and their approach in a bid to try and get back into this game? >> No, not at all. No, I think they looked as though they weren't sure what to do, to be quite frank. >> It's baffling. >> Well, it's Well, it Well, it is. I mean, there was no You know, the commentators were talking about how they weren't panicking, which at the time I agreed with. But, there's a difference between not panicking and actually opening opening the edge of your game and forcing forcing the opposition into mistakes. Because up until up until the first goal, it was kind of easy osy for France. It was almost like they were waiting for them to do something or Spain to make a mistake as opposed to taking the bull by the horns and making it happen themselves. And it felt as though even though they went behind, they still had that same sort of mentality that it was actually going to It was going to work its own way out. >> Yeah. >> And it And it just didn't. And the longer the game went on, the more it needed some urgency in terms of the very least closing the ball high and getting men in in the opposition's face to try and get back in this game. That just never seemed to materialize at any stage. So, I'd I'd have to say that it just It almost felt as though France still They just sat on their hands. Cuz Cuz nothing changed. >> There's a really good photo. And And this was This was after the the second goal. And I'm going to get to Kylian Mbappé in a minute because he completed a World Cup game with zero shots on target today for the first time since the quarter-finals against England in 2022. And I want to talk about him and why that was in a second. But, I want to get to the second goal because it's lovely from Porro. And he didn't start this tournament as first-choice right back. Marcos did. But he's developed such a brilliant relationship with Yamal in front of him and with Dani Olmo or Fabián Ruiz or whoever it is playing just to the side of him to the left. He picks up the ball. Dani Olmo's brave cuz he knows he's going to get clattered. But what a layoff that is. And Pedro Porro finished like you did at Newcastle for Liverpool all those years ago when you got a hat-trick. Fullbacks shouldn't be as composed as that. What a finish that was from Porro. >> Yeah, and as soon as the ball went in the net, I'm thinking, you know what? There's a reason why we teach kids the basics of football. When going forward, it's passing move. And defensively, it's stay with your man. And absolutely, Pedro Porro and Olmo was a classic case of passing and [snorts] moving. Uh and France were a classic case of not following your man, which means Porro ends up on his own with with the time and the composure, as you said, to pick his spot. So, yeah, I mean, it was it was it The best football usually is the simplest football. Yes, we love to see spectacular volleys and overhead kicks and you you all those types of things. But I'll tell you what, for an old wizened ex-pro, there's nothing I like more than watching great basics done at the highest level. It just shows everybody that that's what the game really is about. And if you do the basics to a certain level, you can score goals and create chances in a World Cup semifinal. And that's what happened. >> How do you keep your composure? As a fullback, you've been in that position, you've scored goals, you've made it look easy like Pedro Porro did. How do you keep your composure when you're that place? >> Well, I think you I think time sometimes is your enemy cuz sometimes if you get too much time, it takes you too long. On the other hand, when you're in the zone and you are composed, and I have to say the goalkeeper didn't get off his line as quickly as maybe he could have done, which means there's there's bigger targets for Porro. And the position he found himself in, I think he actually he had a choice. He could have picked the right, he could have picked the left, and he could have dinked it over the keeper. Uh and as I said, sometimes too much time can be the enemy and you you end up not making a decision. But boy, did he make the right decision. He picked the right spot. And just didn't give the goalkeeper time as well to come and get close to him and narrow the angle. So, he did absolutely everything spot-on. And and sometimes, even though he's a fullback, uh you're on your game, you're sharp, everything's working for you, you're making great decisions, and you're making them quickly. And that's what Pedro Porro did in that in that certain position. >> A lot of times, Stevie, in this tournament, you and I have spoken about France and being able to bring substitutes on and not weakening their side cuz they've got such strength and depth. They brought Konan on for Rabiot at halftime. They had to cuz Rabiot was on that yellow from the ninth minute. Desire Doue came on for Barcola in the 57th minute. That happens a lot at PSG. Eventually, Digne was replaced by Theo Hernandez and Cherki came on for Olise, but hardly any of the subs made much of an impact. What did Spain do well to ensure that was the case? >> Well, I think I think first and foremost, again, you've got to look at France and and say that a lot of the problems they they were caused were caused by themselves. Uh and the fact that that all of those names that you you mentioned that came on made absolutely no impact. Um and to be honest, I think I think this is a team thing, you know? I think I spoke earlier about how there was no edge and and no getting in your face. Uh and to be honest, to me that that goes to the captain in my opinion. You know, I think when you're making so many substitutions, you're you're you're you're reaching. You're absolutely reaching for something to happen. And it doesn't always happen. As good a players as they brought on, when you're entering into a game and be expected to all of a sudden be the playmaker if you're Cherki or Theo Hernández to get forward and make sure you still defend against Jamal. You know, Dembélé doing no question should have done more than he did, but he just didn't feature. Um but again, I think it goes down to the whole team. The whole team didn't get together and nobody within that team got everybody together. And so from that point of view, that to me on the field is down to the captain. And I think maybe Deschamps could have done more on the sidelines to at least stir his men up and and at least get them in the face of the opposition. So, yeah, I I I I don't think it's I don't think it's fair to turn around and and and sort of point any sort of fingers at substitutes. You know, substitutes are coming on cuz the guy on the field isn't doing it. And when you have to make so many substitutes, that tells you that there's too many not doing it. >> You just mentioned the word team there with reference to France. I think that's the perfect word today to describe how Spain played. Everybody was there for for everybody else. It was a total team performance. There wasn't a weakness. Back when they won the Euros a couple years ago, Lamine Yamal was the star of the show, an absolute superstar, a joy to watch. He still is, but they're not as reliant on him. How big a thing is that for Spain that if he maybe has a only a seven out of 10 game, that everybody else around him is stepping up to the plate? >> Yeah, I think I think you could basically say that almost to a man, Spain, every single player was a seven-two-and-eight. >> Easy. Yeah. >> Because I mean, they weren't spectacular. You know, we we can't stand here and say that Magic Mike had an awful lot to do in the goal, particularly. Um he had no chance with with the goals. Uh and after that, he really didn't have too much to do. So Yeah, I mean, they're just the there seems to be no weakness and everybody I think this tournament so far has performed in what I did call a third gear, which for a team that might win the World Cup to to be between seven and eight um across the board would seem not enough to win a World Cup, but that's just what might happen. >> It's funny thinking ahead um or thinking back to previewing this game, we probably said that France are the worst possible opponents for Spain today. But in the end, it was the other way around. And Spain were ultimately the worst possible opponents for France today. They just couldn't cope, could they? >> Yeah, I mean, the the first thing that came to my mind, certainly talking about the the game before a ball was kicked, was you know we know that Spain can keep the ball, we know that they like to dominate possession. But what are they going to be like when they cough it up? >> Mhm. >> Cuz we all felt that France, that front four up front that was a fearful four today, that's for sure. Uh they couldn't keep it. France, whenever they got the ball, gave it back to Spain. So you've basically got a combination of Spain who even on a bad day are good on the ball. But today, when they're good on the ball and the opposition keep giving it back to them then it com- it completely nullifies what France do well, and that's that front four. And so if you deny them the ball, uh which Spain did, then you shouldn't be too surprised that you know, I see him on really didn't have too many saves to make. I mean, I think it was I think it was 64 minutes before I had to make a save from from Mbappé, and that was a that was in the wide area. Probably was maybe lucky if it was going to hit the post. >> He was giving us a cross, by the way, not even a shot. That's why Mbappé ended up there. >> Yeah, there you go. So, so yeah, I think I think that's I think that's what we're looking at. Poor France were very poor with the ball, and and Spain were their usual self with the ball. >> What about today's legendary performance, presented by Mobil? Who impressed you the most? >> Um well, it was it was basically between three. Initially, I'm thinking well, as of us standing up and taking that penalty is huge. That's a huge turning point in the game. And then I'm thinking Pedro Porro scoring the goal he did in the and his overall performance. But then I decided that, you know, what? The engine room I think it's where the game was won and lost. Certainly won for Spain and lost for France, and that was the middle of the park. And the fact that Rodri was the last man standing of the the three that started, I'm going to go with Rodri. Um as usual, cool and calm, passing the ball around, you know, real leader, uh dictating the the pace of the game. So, yeah, I think I think Rodri for his performance in the middle of the park gets my uh man of the match today. >> So, the legendary performance presented by Mobil goes to Rodri. Great pick as well, because what he does with the way he plays and it's the relationship he's built up with Fabián Ruiz and then Dani Olmo in front of him. There is that extra layer of protection for Laporte and for Cubarsí, who today was just brilliant again to allow the two full-backs to get forward. So, all the plaudits for Spain today, but for France, that's it, done for DDA Deschamps after the bronze medal match, which I'm sure they could see far enough. Now, we'll preview who they'll face in the final in the second semi in just a second. France and England What are you thinking about Deschamps' replacement? Who do you think they might go for, Zidane? >> No. >> You think? [laughter] That's one of the questions >> Who do you think that are? >> One of the fans' questions has come on. >> I thought it was done and dusted. Was it not? >> Should be. >> Absolutely. We'll absolutely be astounded if Zinedine Zidane, that's easy for me to say, is not the next French manager. >> What will he bring to France that Deschamps either hasn't or what extra can he bring that the French team kind of needs cuz that's They've had a bad day today. They're still arguably one of the best teams, if not the best team in the world. >> Right, and that's and that's part of the job is to figure out why a team so full of talent, so strong, uh and usually so reliable that there's a level of performance that we were talking abou