Let us be brutally honest. For seventy minutes in that Round of 16 tussle in Lisbon, Luis de la Fuente's Spain looked less like European heavyweights...
Let us be brutally honest. For seventy minutes in that Round of 16 tussle in Lisbon, Luis de la Fuente's Spain looked less like European heavyweights and more like a side that had misplaced their compass. They passed with their usual composure, certainly, but that final ball, that incisive thrust, was missing. It was a performance riddled with sideways frustration, lacking the spark to unpick a resolute Portugal low block. Then, with the clock bleeding into the 91st minute, Mikel Merino arrived like a phantom in the box, ghosting through the middle to bundle the ball home and spare his manager a very different conversation.But here is the question that haunts the terraces and fills the columns here at GoalZaza: what if that disjointed display was not a sign of dysfunction, but rather a clue What if de la Fuente, knowing a date with the French machine was waiting in the semi finals, purposely instructed his side to play at half throttle It sounds fanciful, I know. Football romantics will scoff. Yet look closer. The Spanish midfield, usually a relentless carousel of crisp transitions, was strangely static. They kept possession without purpose, as if they were rehearsing for a game where possession would be a shield rather than a weapon. Was the attack underwhelming Yes. But was it deliberateConsider the alternative. An exhausted midfield, drained from chasing the ball against Portugal for 120 minutes, would be a sacrificial lamb against the French transitional juggernaut. Kylian Mbappé thrives on chaos, on stretched legs and frantic clearances. By keeping the tempo low, by prioritising control over risk, Spain preserved their legs and their tactical structure. Merino's late winner was a happy accident, a moment of individual genius that masked a calculated decision to keep the powder dry. They snuck through the revolving door of the knockout stages, sneaking past extra time, but they did so on their own terms. Squeaky bum time Absolutely. But they are still breathing.Now, the real test comes. Against France, Spain cannot afford to be passive for even a minute. They will need to force the issue, to probe the French defence with more venom than they showed Portugal. But having conserved energy, having kept their tactical cards close to their vest, they may just have the edge. The underwhelming attack of the last game might prove to be the most astute bit of preparation de la Fuente could have managed. Or, it could be a sign that this Spain team still lacks the clinical finishing to go all the way. Either way, the narrative is delicious. The stage is set. Let us see if the strategy works, or if it has simply delayed the inevitable.
