By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Spain are through to the World Cup final, and they booked their place with a goal that football lovers will be replaying for years.
The European champions beat France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final, striking in the 22nd and 58th minutes, but it is the second goal that has set the football world alight. The move was Spanish football distilled to its essence: Pedro Porro found Dani Olmo, took the first-time return pass in a lightning one-two, and Olmo applied a finish worthy of the stage. One touch, one give, one go, and France’s World Cup was over. As one fan put it, this is what the game is all about.
The scoreline tells only half the story of the contest. France, the pre-match favourites, actually had more of the ball in dangerous areas, outshooting Spain 14 to 10 and forcing four saves from goalkeeper Unai Simón, who was immense. Spain, by contrast, put just two shots on target all afternoon, and scored with both. It was efficiency bordering on cruelty, the mark of a team that knows exactly what it is.
And the wall held once more. Spain’s defence, the stingiest at this tournament, kept Kylian Mbappé and France off the scoresheet entirely, meaning La Roja have now conceded a single goal in seven matches at this World Cup. Mbappé stays stuck on seven goals, where Lionel Messi, on the same number, can now overtake him.
History will note the pattern too. This is the third consecutive time Spain have beaten France in a major semi-final, after Euro 2024 and last year’s Nations League, and the echoes of 2010 are complete. Then, Spain entered a World Cup semi-final as underdogs against the tournament favourites, won, and days later conquered the world. They have followed the blueprint step for step.
Spain now advance to Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium, July 19, at 1:00 p.m. Belize time, where they await the winner of today’s colossal semi-final between England and Argentina. Should the Albiceleste come through, Belize will get the final of its dreams, Messi against the beautiful machine.
So Belize, two questions: was that Spain goal the finest of the tournament? And who joins them in Sunday’s final? Comment below.
The post Pure magic: the Spain goal that has the world talking appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Spain are through to the World Cup final, and they booked their place with a goal that football lovers will be replaying for years. The European champions beat France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final, striking in the 22nd and 58th minutes, but it is the second goal that has set
The post Pure magic: the Spain goal that has the world talking appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
