Spain beat France 2-0 in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday to reach their first World Cup final since 2010. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals, but the result understated how completely Spain controlled the match against a French attack that had looked unstoppable all tournament.
Spain held the ball for long stretches and pressed France into mistakes from the opening minutes. France, who had not trailed once before this game, managed just two shots on target. Their forward line, built around Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, found almost no room to work.
Spain Take Control Early And Never Let Go
Spain broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Marc Cucurella sent a cross into the French box, Lucas Digne tried to control it on his chest, and Lamine Yamal moved across him as he attempted to clear. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Oyarzabal sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Spain doubled their lead just before the hour mark. Porro combined with Dani Olmo and finished with a side-footed shot past Maignan. France could not respond. Michael Olise lost the ball 20 times and failed to complete a single dribble, according to Reuters. Mbappe, usually France’s biggest threat, could not break through Spain’s defense either.
Porro said the win was a dream come true and that he had never imagined a result like this, even in his wildest expectations. He added that keeping possession had been one of the main reasons Spain reached the final.
France Left To Face A Third-Place Playoff
France coach Didier Deschamps admitted his team was outplayed. He said the players were devastated but that Spain had been technically superior, and called it the coaching staff’s responsibility. He pointed to Spain’s ability to read passing lanes and break up France’s attacking moves.
Mbappé was equally direct after the match. He said France had not performed at the level required and that a World Cup semi-final does not forgive a poor pressing structure or sloppy first touches. He credited Spain for sticking to their game plan throughout.
France will now play in the third-place match instead of the final, a result nobody in the French camp expected heading into the tournament.
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Spain Eye Second World Cup Title
Spain last won the World Cup in 2010. A win in Sunday’s final would give them a second title and complete a World Cup-European Championship double, since Spain are also the reigning European champions. The team, built around young talent like Yamal alongside experienced players, has now reached the final without conceding more than they can handle in any single match this tournament.
Spain will learn their opponent on Wednesday. England and Argentina meet in Atlanta for the second semi-final, with the winner advancing to face Spain in Sunday’s final at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
For France, the tournament ends short of the final for a team that arrived as one of the favorites, leaving Deschamps and his players to regroup for the third-place game.
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