DAR ES SALAAM, July 17 -- FOOTBALL does not always belong to the biggest names. Sometimes, it belongs to the best team. This week in the World Cup, Spain reminded us of that truth. La Roja did not field a squad full of star players as they dont have that luxury.

They faced France, a team with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, and Bradley Barcola. On paper, it should not have been close. Yet for 90 minutes, Spain dominated. 2-0. Clinical. Controlled! How? Because coach Luis de la Fuente picked identity over egos. Lamine Yamal, 19, played with the freedom of a kid and the discipline of a veteran. Rodri sat, dictated, and protected.

The rest ran, pressed, and played for the shirt. France had...