Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in Dallas, earning their place in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010. The win means Spain will face either England or Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday. The match saw Spain control the game, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
The first goal came from a penalty awarded after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. Referee Iván Barton quickly pointed to the spot, and despite a VAR check regarding Yamal’s contact with the ball, the decision stood. Oyarzabal calmly converted the penalty, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament.
France’s defensive efforts, which had been solid throughout the tournament, struggled against Spain’s approach. Jules Kounde had difficulties with his passing, and Dayot Upamecano, despite a crucial block to deny Fabian Ruiz, could not prevent Spain’s dominance. William Saliba, a key defender for France, left the field injured shortly after Oyarzabal’s spot-kick, further impacting his team’s performance.
Spain’s Dominance and Key Performances
Spain demonstrated a masterclass in control, effectively suffocating France’s midfield and limiting their attacking opportunities. Rodri delivered an outstanding performance as Spain’s captain, leading his team to dominate the midfield from start to finish. Lamine Yamal, at 19-years-old, was instrumental in creating the penalty that led to Spain’s first goal, despite having a goal ruled out for offside later in the match.
The second goal for Spain came from Pedro Porro, who scored what was described as a wonderful goal. Dani Olmo was central to much of Spain’s attacking play, providing a fizzing invention that helped create opportunities. Porro’s goal, his third goal involvement of the tournament, put the game beyond France’s reach, leaving goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance.
France’s star players, including Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele, found it difficult to impose themselves. Mbappé had limited touches in Spain’s penalty area during the first half and struggled to create significant threats. Dembele also had a sub-par afternoon, with his performance highlighted by an overcooked pass for Jules Kounde.
France’s Struggles and Substitutions
France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, made several changes throughout the match in an attempt to turn the tide. Adrien Rabiot, who had been booked early for a foul on Olmo, was replaced at half-time. Manu Kone was brought on at the start of the second half, but like other substitutes such as Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki, he was unable to significantly impact the game.
Michael Olise, who had been a standout player earlier in the tournament with his assists, had his poorest performance in the semi-final. He was forced to seek influence in uncomfortable areas as Spain’s defence stifled any supply to him. Unai Simon, Spain’s goalkeeper, maintained a sixth clean sheet in seven matches, making a vital clearance to deny Mbappé an early opportunity.
The outcome of the match was clear, with Spain displaying a collective strength that overshadowed France’s individual flair. Aymeric Laporte delivered a composed performance in defence, maintaining a passing accuracy of more than 90%. Marc Cucurella also contributed, despite receiving a booking for two quick fouls on Olise. Spain’s ability to mix care with precision, along with moments of flair, proved to be the recipe for their success in reaching the final.
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Source: bbc.com
Harry Loxley is a Senior Football Correspondent at NewsGB.org. He spent his early career reporting East Midlands football. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Derby and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Derby, he watches non-league and runs a fan podcast. “Good football writing follows the people, not just the points.”