Spain secured their place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, dismantling tournament favorites France 2-0 in a commanding semifinal performance at AT&T Stadium, which ended Les Bleus’ bid for a third straight appearance in the World Cup’s final match.
A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a clinical second-half finish from Pedro Porro were enough to see off a France side that had arrived in Texas as the team many expected to lift the World Cup after a goal-heavy run through the tournament. Instead, it was Spain’s midfield control and defensive discipline that defined the night, as Luis de la Fuente’s team extended their dominance over their European rivals to three consecutive competitive victories.
One-time World Cup champions Spain will now await the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England to discover their opponent in Sunday’s World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is only the second time in the country’s history that Spain has reached the World Cup final.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute when a cross from Marc Cucurella caused chaos in the France box. Lucas Digne’s attempted clearance caught Lamine Yamal, and referee Ivan Barton pointed to the spot without hesitation. Oyarzabal stepped up and sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to give Spain the lead they would not relinquish.
France’s afternoon worsened before halftime when center-back William Saliba was forced off with a back injury and replaced by Maxence Lacroix, disrupting a defense already struggling to contain Spain’s midfield trio of Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Olmo. Despite trailing, France produced their best spell of the match late in the first half, with goalkeeper Unai Simón called upon to deny Kylian Mbappé after a clever through ball from Adrien Rabiot.
Any hopes of a France comeback were extinguished early in the second half. In the 58th minute, Porro and Olmo combined for a sharp one-two on the edge of the box, sending the Tottenham defender through on goal to slot a fine finish past Maignan and double Spain’s advantage. Coach Didier Deschamps turned to his bench, introducing Manu Kone and Desire Doue in search of a response, but France could not break down a Spanish defense that has now gone 37 matches unbeaten, matching Italy’s record for consecutive games without a loss.
Frustration boiled over for Mbappé in the closing stages when he collided with Simon as the goalkeeper collected the ball, earning a yellow card in the process. The France captain, who finished the tournament level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, will have no further chances to add to his tally after his side’s exit.
“We gave it our all in order just to go through to the final,” Porro said afterward. “We knew that we were a very tough team, we’re doing things really well. This is our team, it’s not about me.”
The result ends a remarkable World Cup streak for France, who were seeking to become just the third nation — after West Germany from 1982-90 and Brazil from 1994-2002 — to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Deschamps’ side will instead turn their attention to the third-place playoff in Miami Gardens on Saturday, facing whichever of Argentina or England fall short in Wednesday’s semifinal.
For Spain, the victory sets up a first World Cup final appearance since their triumphant 2010 campaign, with de la Fuente’s side now two wins away from a second world title. Their performance against France offered a statement of intent to whoever awaits them in New Jersey on Sunday, as Spain’s pursuit of a second World Cup crown continues.
