KUCHING: Spain are through to their first FIFA World Cup final in 16 years after defeating France 2-0 before 70,176 spectators at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, ending Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive appearance in football’s biggest showpiece.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed a deserved victory for the 2010 champions, who are now one win away from lifting the trophy for only the second time in their history.
Sixteen years after Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time strike against the Netherlands delivered Spain’s maiden World Cup crown in Johannesburg, another generation of Spanish stars will now have the opportunity to add its own chapter to the nation’s footballing story.
France arrived in Arlington as one of the tournament favourites, boasting arguably its most dangerous attack in years and chasing a third successive World Cup final after winning the title in 2018 and finishing runners-up four years later. Instead, Didier Deschamps’ farewell World Cup campaign came to an end in the last four.
Spain struck first in the 22nd minute when Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area. Oyarzabal made no mistake from the spot, rifling his effort beyond Mike Maignan despite the French goalkeeper diving the right way.
Les Bleus struggled to find their rhythm against Spain’s disciplined possession game, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise largely kept at bay throughout much of the contest.
Any hopes of a French comeback were effectively extinguished in the 58th minute when Porro exchanged passes brilliantly with Dani Olmo before calmly slotting past Maignan to double La Roja’s advantage.
The victory also extends Spain’s recent dominance over France following triumphs at Euro 2024, the UEFA Nations League and now the World Cup, underlining why many regard Luis de la Fuente’s side as the tournament’s most complete team.
Spain’s march to the final has been equally impressive defensively, conceding just once throughout the tournament while overcoming Portugal, Belgium and France in the knockout stages.
For 19-year-old Yamal, meanwhile, his maiden World Cup campaign could yet end with football’s greatest prize in his hands as the Barcelona star moves to within one victory of becoming a world champion.
Awaiting Spain in Sunday’s final will be either England or defending champions Argentina, with La Roja now standing just 90 minutes away from reclaiming their place at the summit of world football.
