Previous Power Ranking Spot: 4
As expected, Spain practically passed Belgium to death in the quarterfinal, with 68 percent possession and 598 accurate passes compared to the Red Devils’ 243.
But all that dominance brought just two goals, including a gift for Mikel Merino in the 88th minute.
For all the quality in La Furia Roja’s squad, putting the ball in the back of the net hasn’t been so easy. It’s just 10 goals in six games at the tournament, less than any other team in the semifinals. With back-to-back games decided by last-minute strikes from makeshift striker Merino, that doesn’t bode well, either.
However, wins within 90 minutes against Austria, Portugal, and Belgium on the way to the semifinals are much more impressive than the results achieved by the teams sitting third and fourth in this ranking. The balance between defense and attack looks much better than Argentina and England, too, despite fewer goals scored.
The matchup with France in the semifinal will be a fascinating tussle between two well-rounded sides, although Les Bleus have the edge up front. Arguably, it should be the final.
Despite conceding just once during the competition, Spain needs a more clinical edge at this stage of the tournament if it has ambitions of becoming European and world champion.
