They are the couple of World. The championship tandem. The wall of Spain. One is Catalan, he is 19 years old, he is playing in his first World Cup and has shown unusual maturity. The other was born in Agen (France), he is 32 years old, he is already the best ‘signing’ in the history of the Spanish team and he dominates the stage of each match with an insulting emphaticity. Together, Cubarsi and Laporte They form a central couple that has left the the national team’s goal to zero in six of the seven matches of the championshipsomething that had never happened before. Luckily, we still have another round of ‘Cubarporte’.
Cubarsí: “I think we have silenced many mouths”
“It is very important to keep a clean sheet. It helps you a lot. There was a bit of a run-run in which the defense and the goal were not good, but I think we have silenced many mouths. We have conceded a goal and we are in a final, I think it is an impressive job,” said Cubarsi after eliminating France. He is right. Not even the best attack in the championship could beat them. Mbappé missing, indolent Dembélé, ineffective Barcolá and frustrated Olise. The magnificent four, who had been shining together – or separately – were met with an impeccable defense of Spain where the centrals, together with Joint, Cucurella and the rest of the team, nullified all his virtues.
And why not?
At the World Cup in Qatar, Laporte was asked why Spain could be world champions. “And why not?” he replied. Now they are just one game away from achieving it and, in large part, it is their fault. His World Cup is outstanding defensively and offensively. Forceful in duels, impeccable in cuts and stratospheric in aerial balls. He has been thinking about the World Cup all year, taking care of himself and preparing to reach his peak form. And he has achieved it. Like in the Euro Cup, when they doubted him and he responded on the pitch. “When they speak ill of you, It mainly affects the environment: family, children, fathers. They are more aware of what is happening around them and it can affect them more,” he confessed to MARCA a few months ago.
“Laporte is the worst sale in the history of France”
But the ‘boss’as he is known in the locker room, has also taken a step forward in creation. He maintains his passing success statistics above the 90%he dares to shoot diagonals of 50 meters that are usually accurate and is not afraid to go out driving the ball to break lines of pressure.
Express PhD
The one who has taken the step forward that was missing is Pau Cubarsi. His performance at only 19 years old is being excellent. The maturity with which he plays or expresses himself leads one to think that he has won five World Cups, but this is just the beginning. Pau is fast and intelligent when you have to run behind him, he combines perfectly with Aymeric and is also ano guarantee player. He can’t be pressured with the ball, he doesn’t mind giving one more pass and, like Laporte, he has no problems coming out with the ball under control if they give him space. An offensive alternative when games get stuck and rivals overwhelm Rodri, Olmo or Fabián. “I feel more and more like a leader”he confessed in MARCA.
Pau Cubarsí: “I feel more and more like a leader”
Against France he was almost perfect in all aspects of the game. He won almost all his duels, only missed three passes and was forceful. He is, along with Cucurella and Unai, the only player who has played everythingbut you still have gas for 90 – or 120 – more minutes. “We are in a world final and we are going to go all out”warns.
