The World Cup semi final in North America has exploded into life. Spain, the team many tipped to struggle under the weight of expectation, have drawn...
The World Cup semi final in North America has exploded into life. Spain, the team many tipped to struggle under the weight of expectation, have drawn first blood against France. And my word, did it come from a moment of absolute quality.But the story of this opening salvo is not just about Spanish flair. There is a dark cloud hovering over the bench. An Arsenal star, whose name has become synonymous with consistency in this tournament, has been forced off with injury. It is the kind of blow that can deflate a side quicker than a goal can lift them. You could sense the air leave the ground as he went down, clutching his thigh. We have seen this before. Players try to run it off, they shake their heads, but the muscle says no. For a team chasing a trophy, losing a key cog in the machine this early is a catastrophic setback.France, for their part, looked shell shocked after falling behind. Didier Deschamps' men had set up with that familiar low block, inviting Spain onto them. But when you invite a side with Spain's technical ability into your half, you are playing with fire. The goal itself was a masterclass in transitional play. A quick turnover, a perfectly weighted pass, and a finish that left the French goalkeeper no chance. Clinical finishing. That is what separates the contenders from the pretenders.Now, the question that hangs over this tie is psychological. Can France reset their minds after that early sucker punch Or will the Spanish, buoyed by the goal and the sight of a key opponent limping off, double down and park the bus It is squeaky bum time for both managers. The tactical flexibility of Luis de la Fuente will be tested, because he now has to replace that injured Arsenal man without breaking the rhythm of his side. This is the beautiful game at its most brutal. One moment you are the hero, the next you are watching from the treatment room.As the game restarts, the tempo has shifted. The French are pressing higher, their line no longer sitting deep. They know they cannot afford to give Spain a second goal. This is the defining twenty minutes of their World Cup campaign. Can they turn the tide, or will this Spanish wave wash them away We are about to find out.
