France, Laporte is ours | OneFootball

Spain’s defence has been rebuilt around Aymeric Laporte at this World Cup, conceding only one goal with France next in the semi-final.

Since the Euros the back line has been overhauled, with Cubarsí, Pubill and Eric for Le Normand, Nacho and Vivian, Laporte kept as senior marshal. As reported by as.com, he has set the tone for a youthful unit.

Against Belgium he led Spain in recoveries with six, added an interception and made two clearances, one celebrated like a goal after an acrobatic rescue late on.

Alongside Cubarsí he has been spotless, while Unai Simón has posted a 650-minute world record without conceding. Spain have allowed only De Ketelaere’s finish in the quarter-finals and just 1.81 expected goals across six matches.

Rivals are blocking his diagonals to Lamine, Portugal tried it and Belgium repeated it, which simply shifts play through Cubarsí.

He ranks third for successful passes with 385, behind Pau on 416 and Rodri on 471. He is second for progressive passes with 54, eighth for passes into the final third with 59, and seventh for aerial duels won with 16.

France bring Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, Doué and Barcola. They could have had Laporte, born in Agén, who moved to Spain at 16 to join Athletic, a badge he now defends again after City and Al Nassr. In May 2021 the RFEF fast-tracked his switch after France did not call, and he has been undisputed since, set to marshal Spain in the semi-final.

Source: as.com