A Familiar Style Returns
Football fans have long used the phrase "passing carousel" to describe a team that keeps the ball moving so smoothly that opponents end up chasing shadows. The term was first used to describe Barcelona's style under Frank Rijkaard, before Pep Guardiola pushed the idea even further in the years that followed. Spain's national team made the phrase their own during their World Cup-winning run in 2010.

Still, in this tournament, that identity had mostly stayed hidden beneath the surface.

Spain's road to the semifinal had been far from spectacular. They opened with a goalless draw against Cape Verde and ground through the knockout rounds without ever fully showing their attacking potential.

Substitute Mikel Merino had been the difference in their last two matches, pulling them through tense moments that threatened to drag on into extra time.

Meanwhile, France arrived in Texas as many people's favourite. Their front three of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise had been electric throughout the tournament, tearing through defences with pace and directness.

Casual fans expected a tight, cagey affair. What they got instead was a masterclass in patience and control, leaving France with almost no answers.

Thirty Seconds That Changed Everything
The buildup to Porro's goal began deep in Spain's own half, wi.