Eight Barcelona players to feature in World Cup final
Spain has advanced to the World Cup final, with eight players from FC Barcelona set to participate in the championship match. This marks the second time Spain has reached the World Cup final, with the previous occasion being in 2010 when they also had eight Barcelona players in their squad.
In the semi-final against France, Spain secured a 2-0 victory at Dallas Stadium. The match saw significant contributions from several Barcelona players. Lamine Yamal earned a penalty after being fouled by Lucas Digne, which Mikel Oyarzabal converted to give Spain a 1-0 lead. Later, Dani Olmo provided an assist for Pedro Porro‘s goal, extending Spain‘s lead to 2-0. Pau Cubarsí was noted for his strong defensive performance, helping to neutralise France‘s attacking efforts.
Three FC Barcelona players started the semi-final match and directly influenced the outcome. Ferran Torres and Pedri entered the game in the second half, contributing to Spain‘s ability to maintain their lead. Jules Kounde, another Barcelona player, played the entire match for France, who were on the losing side.
The Spain squad for the final includes Barcelona players Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, and Joan García. These players, some of whom cheered from the bench, will now compete for the World Cup trophy. Spain will face the winner of the other semi-final between England and Argentina in New Jersey.
Spain’s Path to the Final
Spain, the reigning European champions, controlled the semi-final against France, limiting their opponents’ opportunities. The team’s disciplined defence was a key factor, as they had conceded only one goal throughout the tournament prior to the final. Rodri was a prominent figure in midfield, breaking up attacks and initiating offensive plays for Spain.
The semi-final was billed as a contest between France‘s strong attack and Spain‘s resilient defence. Spain‘s measured control of the game ultimately prevailed. While Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were central to Spain‘s success in Euro 2024, Yamal‘s influence has grown steadily during the World Cup despite injury concerns affecting both players.
Fabian Ruiz also played a significant role in midfield alongside Rodri, justifying his selection over Pedri. Spain‘s defensive unit, including the back four and goalkeeper, received praise for their performance, as France did not register their first shot on target until the 81st minute of the match. This defensive solidity allowed Spain to comfortably see out the game.
Club Representation in Semifinals
Before the semi-finals, Barcelona had the highest number of players still competing for the World Cup trophy across all clubs. The club had 10 players in total, with a strong contingent in the Spain squad. Beyond the Spanish players, Jules Koundé represented France, and Anthony Gordon was with England.
Other clubs also had significant representation in the semi-finals. Atlético Madrid had nine players, primarily with Argentina, including Julián Álvarez and Nahuel Molina, and some with Spain. Arsenal contributed eight players, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka for England, and Mikel Merino and David Raya for Spain, among others. William Saliba also represented France from Arsenal.
Paris Saint-Germain had six players remaining, with five representing France, including Ousmane Dembélé, and Fabian Ruíz with Spain. Aston Villa and Manchester City each had five players, while Chelsea and Crystal Palace each had four players still in contention. Aston Villa‘s players were split across three semi-finalists, with Ezri Konsa for England and Emiliano Martínez for Argentina. Manchester City‘s contingent included Rodri for Spain.
France‘s defeat in the semi-final means they will play in the third-place play-off on Saturday. This match will mark the end of Didier Deschamps‘ 14-year tenure as coach. Spain will now prepare for the World Cup final on Sunday.
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Source: fcbarcelona.com
