The ‘uncomfortable’ truth for England and Messi fans

Spain will start favourites against Argentina in the World Cup final should Lionel Messi pilot his side through Thursday’s (AEST) second semi-final in Atlanta.

And if it’s England in the big dance?

“Forget it,” ex-Socceroos striker Scott McDonald said on Stan Sport’s Added Time.

“Because it’s similar to France today. They (England) can’t control the game. If they can’t keep the ball high up the pitch, then you’re going to struggle against Spain…

“But whoever gets in that final, you have to keep the ball. France has shown you today if you can’t do it, Spain are going to cruise through that final again.”

France seemed invincible in the tournament, holding an unblemished record and a combined 16-2 goal differential against their first six opponents.

But the Spaniards were confident after beating their rival in their past two meetings in semi-finals - the 2025 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship en route to that title.

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Spain were in control from the start of their 2-0 win and France trailed for the first time in the tournament when Mikel Oyarzabal scored his fifth goal of the World Cup with a shot to the upper-right corner.

Lamine Yamal, a day after his 19th birthday, drew a foul from Lucas Digne on the right side of the box.

A long cross by Marc Cucurella was popped in the air by Digne.

As he attempted a volley, Yamal snuck in behind him and as the ball hit his left shoulder, Digne kicked him in the left thigh, prompting Yamal to fall.

Spain - who now own a 37-match unbeaten streak (30 wins, seven draws) to tie Italy’s European record - continued to play with a collective calmness that France were unable to rattle.

Spain doubled the lead when Pedro Porro finished a give-and-go with Dani Olmo at the top of the box on the right side.

Olmo was pressured by Dayot Upamecano, which left Porro unmarked to take two touches before striking.

“We pretty much slept on them this whole tournament,” McDonald said.

“They’ve gone sort of under the radar somewhat because we’ve been looking at the likes of France throughout this tournament and how wonderful they’ve played.

“But I think we have seen right from the first minute in terms of the way Dani Olmo went and pressed up with Oyarzabal, how they were going to play in this game.

“Everyone talks about how good Spain are with the ball. And we all know that and how they dictate the play. (Fabian) Ruiz and Rodri in there, the last couple of games been very good also. But it’s what they do without the ball and how they make you uncomfortable. And France couldn’t get any rhythm, couldn’t get up the field.”

Spain now has the advantage of an extra 24 hours of recovery and preparation for Monday’s (AEST) final in New Jersey.

Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer agreed that ‘La Roja’ were now the team to beat.

“A fantastic performance from Spain,” Schwarzer said on Added Time.

“Whoever they play in the final, they’re favourites. People talk about their boring football. I don’t think they’re boring football. Tactically they were absolutely superb. The way in which they nullified France, the way they frustrated them, the way they cut basically their head off of France by nullifying (Michael) Olise, preventing Olise from really having anything meaningful to do in the game.

“What I love about Spain is their ball retention. They’re just so well-organised, and they just hunt in packs, everyone works really hard. The work rate that these guys do is superb. There’s not a player in that team - Lamine Yamal as well - how much work they do coming back and helping out. And then when they do win the ball, there’s no panic. There’s never a wasteful pass. There’s never a long ball.

“Just so good on the ball. And I just never at one point felt that France were going to get back in this game. The minute they went 1-0 behind, I thought, this is it.”