Spain storms into World Cup final after shutting down France

ARLINGTON, Texas — With all due respect to England‘s Three Lions and Argentina‘s La Albiceleste, to Harry Kane and Lionel Messi preparing for their encounter 24 hours thereafter in Atlanta, the first World Cup semifinal Tuesday between France and Spain was billed the final before the final.

The absurd abundance of talent on the field, in reserve and even left behind at home … the relatively smooth pathways to the final four … the Texas-sized backdrop teeming with French blue and Spanish red at AT&T Stadium instead of Cowboy blue and silver …

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It was hard to argue with the hype.

A high-class matchup between two elite sides, however, was reduced to a masterclass performance by one immaculate team, Spain, which parlayed goals early in each half and a blanketing defense into a 2-0 victory.

Sixteen years since winning its first World Cup trophy, La Roja will face Argentina or England in Sunday’s final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. France, which was seeking its third straight championship appearance, will head to Miami for Saturday’s third-place match.

Spain, which has conceded one goal in seven matches, is unbeaten in 37 straight since losing a friendly to Colombia in March 2024. In official competition, though, the run goes back to March 2023, when it lost a Euro qualifier in Scotland.

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Striker Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty kick and right back Pedro Porro finished a perfect combination as the reigning European champions won their sixth straight since opening the tournament with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde.

France — the 2018 champion and 2022 runner-up — was the most impressive team throughout the five-week competition by rushing through six matches by a 16-2 margin. But on Bastille Day, Les Bleus discovered nothing but frustration in trying to solve Spain’s air-tight system.

Kylian Mbappé, the tournament’s Golden Boot leader entering the semifinal, found little room to operate. Spain repeatedly crowded the French captain in transition, limiting his touches in dangerous areas and preventing him from producing the game-changing moments that had defined so much of France’s run.

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There was some bite in the build-up after it was reported teenage sensation Lamine Yamal said France should be afraid of Spain. Much was made of it in the media, though the players largely weren’t taking the bait that would’ve escalated the silly matter and Yamal explained his comments had been misinterpreted.

Nonetheless, there was no questioning the ancient rivalry, which, in recent years, featured the 2024 European Championship semifinal and 2025 Nations League thriller, both won by La Roja. Aside from the international arena, the players were well-acquainted with each other on the European club scene.

Neither Spain nor France had trailed in their first six matches. Spain had not conceded a goal until the quarterfinal against Belgium, while France entered the semifinal with three consecutive clean sheets and in four of five.

France’s defensive shield — and its ability to break Spain’s pressure — received a well-timed return from midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who had missed two matches with a hamstring ailment.

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Yamal’s presence on the right wing posed a major challenge for French left back Lucas Digne. Digne was fine through the first portion of the match, but his foul on Yamal led to Spain’s icebreaker.

It wasn’t Yamal’s footwork or speed that caused havoc, however. On Marc Cucurella‘s cross from one side of the penalty area to the other, Digne tried heading the ball to himself for a volleyed clearance. He lost track of Yamal, though, and when he pivoted to strike the ball, Digne whacked the charging Spaniard across the left thigh instead.

Without hesitation, referee Ivan Barton rightly pointed to the spot.

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In the 22nd minute, Oyarzabal pumped the penalty kick into the upper right corner, beyond Mike Maignan‘s reach, for his team-leading fifth goal of the tournament.

France’s problems deepened moments later when center back William Saliba pulled up while routinely pursuing the ball without any pressure. With just one prior appearance in the tournament, Maxence Lacroix entered.

France was out of sorts, struggling to break down Spain’s disciplined resistance. Spain continued to cause trouble, most notably in the 38th minute when high pressure forced a giveaway.

Tight, one-touch soccer in traffic culminated with Yamal and Dani Olmo combining on the right side of the box. Yamal crossed to Fabián Ruiz for a near-post stab disrupted by Dayot Upamecano in the nick of time.

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Les Bleus headed to the locker room saddled with the history of having never won a World Cup match after trailing at halftime. They returned from the locker room with a lineup change: Manu Koné entered in the midfield for Adrien Rabiot, whose early yellow card put him at risk of ejection.

Without anything working, Didier Deschamps turned to his bench again in the 57th minute with forward Désiré Doué replacing Bradley Barcola.

A minute later, Spain extended the lead.

Porro played the ball inside to Olmo at the top of the box. Porro made his run. Koné and Doué watched him go. Olmo got a touch as Upamecano brought him down. Porro floated into an acre of space, collected Olmo’s pass and bore down on Maigan before cooly slotting the shot for his second goal of the tournament.

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Yamal looked as though he had put matters to rest after accepting Pau Cubarsí’s gorgeous through ball. He was offside by a sliver, however.

France’s pressure intensified, but without fulfillment. Getting desperate, Deschamps exhausted his subs in the 73rd minute with his final two changes.

France’s play wreaked desperation, as well. Serious threats came and went.

It was Spain’s day, through and through.