Spain are in the World Cup final for the first time since they won it in 2010. A dominant, suffocating performance at Dallas Stadium ended France's hopes of a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, with Mikel Oyarzabal's 22nd-minute penalty and Pedro Porro's clinical 58th-minute strike giving La Roja a 2-0 win that flattered France's resistance only marginally. Kylian Mbappe was kept utterly quiet. Lamine Yamal was everywhere. Spain's unbeaten run now extends to 37 matches, tying the all-time international men's record with Italy.
THE GOALS
The only way Spain were ever going to concede a penalty in this tournament was through a moment of poor defending, and that is exactly what France produced. Lucas Digne, caught unaware, kicked through Lamine Yamal as he tried to clear the ball inside the box in the 22nd minute. A clear penalty. Oyarzabal stepped up and powered his fifth goal of the tournament down the right past Maignan, giving the keeper no chance. His fifth World Cup goal made him the third Spanish player to reach that tally in a single tournament, after David Villa in 2010 and Emilio Butragueno in 1986.
Spain's second arrived in the 58th minute and was a moment of pure right-back brilliance from Porro. A quick give-and-go with Dani Olmo put the right-back clean in on goal in the inside-right channel. Porro, composed under pressure, side-footed past Maignan for his second goal of the tournament — making him the second Spanish defender to score multiple World Cup goals in a single edition, after Fernando Hierro in 1998 and 2002. Olmo's assist was his eighth in major tournament football for Spain — equalling Cesc Fabregas's all-time record for the national team.
Saliba had gone off with a back problem in the 29th minute, replaced by Lacroix. Yamal had a goal curled in from close range disallowed for offside. Mane Kone came on for Rabiot, who had been lucky to stay on the pitch after an early reckless challenge. Digne was replaced by Theo Hernandez, completely out of his depth against Yamal all evening. France's best moments of the match amounted to a Barcola effort blazed over, a Mbappe close-range shot at the 65th minute blocked by Cucurella, and a Mbappe attempt at Simon's near post on 65 that was well saved. That was it.
HOW THE GAME PLAYED OUT
This was Spain at their absolute best. Not the flamboyant, tiki-taka Spain of Xavi and Iniesta — but something perhaps more ruthless and complete. Rodri was magnificent anchoring the midfield, protecting the back four and recycling possession with precision. Porro and Cucurella were both outstanding at full-back against Dembele and Yamal's opponent, neutralising threats before they materialised. Yamal himself was unplayable at points — his one-two combinations with Olmo in the 39th minute produced one of the best passages of attacking play seen in this semi-final, and his intelligence in drawing the Digne penalty was entirely deliberate. France, who had looked utterly dominant in their 13 goals across the quarter-final and rounds preceding, were restricted to just 10 shots worth 0.3 expected goals. Three on target. Mbappe recorded 34 touches and three shots, none on goal.
Deschamps, coaching in his 26th World Cup match, the most of any manager ever, said after the game: "The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best. We lacked technical precision and energy. The Spanish are very good at breaking up moves by reading interceptions and passes. We would have liked to cause them more problems going forward." France have still never won a World Cup match when trailing at half-time in their history, a run of D1 L12. This was not their night.
LINEUPS
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe. Subs: Lacroix (for Saliba, 29'), Kone (for Rabiot), Theo Hernandez (for Digne), Doue (for Barcola), Cherki (for Olise).
Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. Subs: Ferran Torres (for Oyarzabal), Nico Williams (for Baena), Pedri (for Olmo).
THE NUMBERS
Spain: 10 shots, 2 on target, France 0.3 xG from 10 shots, 3 on target. Spain have conceded just one goal in seven matches — from Belgium in the quarter-finals. Oyarzabal: 5 World Cup goals, joint third Spanish player to reach that total. Porro: second Spanish defender with multiple goals in a single World Cup. Olmo: 8 major tournament assists for Spain, joint-record with Fabregas. Spain's unbeaten run: 37 matches, tying the all-time international men's record with Italy.
WHAT IT MEANS
Spain are in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010 and will face either Argentina or England, who play in the other semi-final at Atlanta Stadium. Yamal told reporters after the game that he was looking forward to taking New York by storm. He has scored (1) or assisted (3) in all three of his semi-final and final appearances for Spain at major tournaments, a record of consistent big-game delivery for an 18-year-old that defies logic. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday July 19. For France, Deschamps' 14-year reign as manager ends at the semi-final stage. He guided them to victory in 2018 and the final in 2022. A third final was not to be.