Spain is heading back to the World Cup final, and they got there by doing exactly what they’ve done all tournament: controlling the game from the opening whistle and never letting go. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored either side of halftime to give Spain a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, handing Les Bleus their first defeat of the entire competition and setting up a World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Final Score: Spain 2, France 0 Oyarzabal (penalty, 22′), Porro (58′)
How it happened: The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute. On a Marc Cucurella cross, French left-back Lucas Digne lost track of Lamine Yamal’s run and caught him across the thigh while trying to clear the ball, giving away a penalty. Oyarzabal converted calmly. Spain doubled the lead in the 58th minute when Porro combined in a give-and-go with Dani Olmo before side-footing past Mike Maignan. Yamal nearly added a third late on, but it was ruled out for offside. France pushed through Dembélé and Mbappé late but couldn’t beat Unai Simón.
The numbers: Spain restricted France to just 0.3 expected goals from 10 shots and have now conceded just one goal all tournament — against Belgium in the quarterfinals.
France’s first loss: This snapped a run where Les Bleus hadn’t trailed in any of their first six matches and had posted three straight clean sheets. Spain controlled tempo from the start and never let France’s attack settle into rhythm.
Pre-match drama: Comments attributed to Yamal suggesting France “should be afraid” of Spain drew attention beforehand; he later said they were misinterpreted.
A rivalry renewed: Spain and France have now met at the semifinal stage or later in two of the last three major tournaments — a 2024 Euro semifinal and last year’s 5-4 Nations League thriller, both won by Spain.
What’s next: Spain reaches the final for just the second time in history (won it in 2010), facing the Argentina vs. England winner on July 19. France plays Saturday’s third-place match under Didier Deschamps.
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