European champions Spain have entered the final of the World Cup after defeating France 2-0 in Dallas.
A semi-final between two tournament favorites and top teams was eagerly awaited – but France never came.
Although it was as bad as France, Spain showed their ability to book a place in the final on Sunday, where they will face either England who beat Euro 2024 finalists or world champions Argentina.
With Kylian Mbappe suspended and other Les Bleus strikers, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, scrambling, Spain scored in each half. Mikel Oyarzabal scored a penalty after Lucas Digne kicked Lamine Yamal as he tried to clear the ball, before Pedro Porro linked up with Dani Olmo for the second after a slick move.
France managed just two shots and Porro hit the net and couldn’t come up with the Bastille Day fireworks in the final stages to scare Spain. Michael Olise, the World Cup’s leading creator, was sent off in the 72nd minute, summing up how badly their attack had done.
A third-place play-off awaits them on Saturday – a tragic end to Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure.
But Spain continues. They defeated France in the semi-finals on their way to European champions success two summers ago and will repeat the trick in the 2025 Nations League semi-finals. This made it three in a row – and Spain are now unbeaten in their last 37 games in all competitions, a joint record for a European nation.
Luis de la Fuente’s team is now ready to repeat the Euro-World Cup double that Spain was beaten in the 2010 World Cup. They will make a short stop in New York/New Jersey.
De La Fuente calls Spain ‘the best team in the world’
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente: “We started almost four years ago with a vision and we stayed true to that vision and it brought us here. Today we are facing one of the best national teams in the world, but in front of them was the best team in the world. That is different.
“These players deserve everything – every day they show their dedication, their unity, their generosity, their talent. They make difficulties look easy.”
Highlights from Dallas…
22: GOAL! Oyarzabal scored Spain’s penalty after Digne kicked Lamine Yamal as he tried to clear the ball in the French box.
30: INJURY! William Saliba is forced to leave due to injury and his place is taken by Maxence Lacroix
38: SHUT UP! A good move from Spain leads to Dani Olmo heading the ball back into the box for Lamine Yamal. He crosses rather than shoots and Fabian Ruiz’s effort is blocked for a corner.
58: GOAL! Pedro Porro swaps passes with Dani Olmo and spaces in Spain’s second.
61: NO GOAL! Lamine Yamal breaks through and hits the net but it is slightly offside.
72: SUB! The unemployed Michael Olise is now connected. He entered the game with five assists in this World Cup, but he created only two chances and scored two goals.
79: PROBLEM! Ferran Torres headed in a good chance as Spain looked for a third.
81: ERROR! Unai Simon rushes into the area but sends his pass to Desire Doue – but a poor effort from the sub hits the keeper.
Analysis: France failed to show their best when it mattered
Desiree Doue shows pain when France was eliminated from the World Cup by Spain
Sky Sports Peter Smith:
“At this World Cup, France looked like a team that has it all. The fab four-four frontline was slick, a joy to watch and produced moments of magic. Their defense was strong, with clean sheets in their last three games so far. They also carry great strength in depth.
“This was a team that was the envy of all the other countries in the World Cup. But on the big day, they were their shadow.
“The French fans in the stands looked dejected but the Bastille Day celebrations at home will have fallen as the fans watched this painful game from afar.
“A tense first-half display had its bells ringing but there was always the feeling that this French side could turn it on when it mattered. They often rise in the second half. But they couldn’t live up to the momentum in the air-conditioned Dallas stadium until the final minutes.
“Even though Spain was good, this game was about France failing to shoot when everyone expected them to show their strength.
Deschamps blames technical errors
France manager Didier Deschamps: “The players were upset because we had big ambitions, although we have to admit that today we were below average technically, facing a team that participated in the game.
“It’s mainly our fault. We collapsed and weren’t as dangerous in attack as we could have been, we made a few technical errors with passes that could have led to opportunities. That’s true at the elite level, even if it hurts.”
