Spain has secured a spot in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010, following a 2-0 victory over France. The win came after a penalty kick from Mikel Oyarzabal and an additional goal from Pedro Porro.
The match, held in Arlington, Texas, saw Spain overcome France, a team that was attempting to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. France, currently FIFA’s top-ranked team, will now play in the third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida, while Spain prepares for the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Key moments from the semi-final
The opening goal for Spain came in the 22nd minute. Teenager Lamine Yamal drew a foul in the penalty area after being kicked by French defender Lucas Digne. Oyarzabal converted the subsequent penalty kick, marking his fifth goal of this year’s World Cup and his 30th in 60 international games for Spain. This goal was significant as it was the first time either team had trailed in their seven games in the tournament.
Yamal, who turned 19 the day after the match, was instrumental in creating the opportunity. His quick play against Digne, who was attempting to clear the ball, led to the foul. Despite a close offside call later in the game that denied him a goal, Yamal‘s presence was a constant threat.
Spain extended their lead to 2-0 in the 58th minute when Pedro Porro scored after a give-and-go with Dani Olmo. This solidified Spain‘s position and put further pressure on France.
Spain’s defensive strength and team cohesion
Spain‘s victory highlighted their robust defensive strategy. The team had conceded only one goal in seven games leading up to the semi-final, facing strong opponents such as Portugal, Belgium, and France in the knockout stages. Their expected goals against (xGA) for the tournament stood at 2.1 over seven games, the lowest among all teams.
Against France, Spain limited their opponents to a 0.30 xGA, effectively neutralizing the attacking threats of players like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. This performance was noted as France‘s worst showing in the tournament’s history dating back to 1966, according to Opta tracking.
Individual defensive contributions were notable, with Pau Cubarsi, a young centre-back, recording four clearances, one block, and one last-man tackle. Aymeric Laporte led the game in touches with 86, contributing four clearances. Pedro Porro, in addition to his goal, made three clearances and two tackles, while Marc Cucurella had seven defensive contributions, including a crucial tackle on Mbappé.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón also played a vital role, making key interventions. In the 42nd minute, he rushed out 30 yards to tackle Mbappé, preventing a potential break. Later, in the 81st minute, he headed a ball away from Mbappé, further demonstrating Spain‘s collective defensive effort.
Looking ahead
This win marks the third consecutive summer that Spain has defeated France in a tournament semi-final. Previously, Spain won 2-1 in the 2024 European Championship semi-finals and 5-4 in Nations League play last year.
Spain will now face either Argentina or England in the final on Sunday. The other semi-final between Argentina and England is scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta.
France, despite their strong attacking lineup, struggled to break through Spain‘s cohesive unit. The French team, with players like Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise, found it difficult to generate significant scoring opportunities, rarely forcing a save from the Spanish goalkeeper. This result has led to discussions about the balance of the French squad, particularly its defensive depth.
Spain, the defending European champion, entered the match undefeated in 36 games. Their consistent performance and team-oriented approach have been central to their success throughout the tournament, culminating in their advancement to the World Cup final.
The final match will be held on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Source: tsn.ca
