This result was no accident.
Spain were not in the trenches. Their goalkeeper Unai Simon did not make a great save. They did not sit back and frustrate France. They had more ball, they made more passes, and just as many shots.
To most observers (including @AdamCrafton_), France had been the competition’s outstanding side during the group stages and early knockout rounds of the competition.
Yet within the Spain camp, a steely defiance remained.
The Spanish confidence was not without foundation. This is a nation which won the UEFA Nations League in 2023, reaching the final again in 2025, while winning the Euros in between.
Along that stretch of form, they have now beaten Italy twice, England, Germany, Norway, Portugal and Belgium.
Oh, and France — three times. They are now 37 games unbeaten, the joint longest streak in men’s international history.
🔗
