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SPAIN dismantled tournament favourites France with a disciplined and commanding 2-0 victory to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, delivering one of the competition's most complete performances to extinguish Les Bleus' hopes of lifting a third world crown.
A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a superbly worked second-half strike by Pedro Porro sealed the victory for the European champions at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as Spain's tactical organisation and midfield superiority left France unable to impose themselves throughout the contest.
The 2010 world champions will now face either defending champions Argentina or England in Sunday's final in New Jersey, where they will attempt to capture a second FIFA World Cup title.
AFP reported that France entered the semi-final widely regarded as the strongest side remaining in the tournament after producing an impressive attacking campaign, led by captain Kylian Mbappe alongside Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise.
However, Didier Deschamps' formidable forward line was comprehensively neutralised by Spain's disciplined defensive structure and relentless midfield control.
Having already won their previous two competitive meetings against France, Spain showed no hesitation in taking the initiative from the opening whistle.
Rodri orchestrated proceedings from midfield with authority, while Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo ensured Spain dictated possession and tempo, consistently overwhelming France's central pairing of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni through crisp passing and intelligent movement.
France's frustrations surfaced as early as the ninth minute when Rabiot was booked after catching Olmo outside the penalty area.
Despite Spain's dominance, France came close to taking the lead in the 16th minute when Mbappe burst through the defence, only for Pau Cubarsi to produce a crucial intervention.
Spain's pressure finally yielded a breakthrough in the 20th minute following a dangerous cross from Marc Cucurella that created confusion inside the French penalty area.
As Lucas Digne attempted to clear the danger, he inadvertently caught Lamine Yamal, prompting referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador to immediately point to the penalty spot.
Oyarzabal calmly converted from 12 yards, sending goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to give Spain a deserved advantage.
France's problems deepened shortly afterwards when central defender William Saliba was forced off through injury in the 31st minute and replaced by Maxence Lacroix.
Spain continued to threaten before the interval, with Upamecano producing an important block to deny Fabian Ruiz after another flowing attacking move.
France attempted to respond before half-time, but goalkeeper Unai Simon preserved Spain's lead with an excellent save from Mbappe after an incisive pass from Rabiot.
Any hopes of a French resurgence after the interval quickly faded as Spain resumed control, exposing France's inability to wrestle back possession despite tactical adjustments from Deschamps.
The decisive second goal arrived in the 58th minute when Porro combined brilliantly with Olmo in a slick one-two before the Tottenham Hotspur full-back finished clinically beyond Maignan.
Spain thought they had added a third goal just three minutes later when Yamal found the net, but a VAR review ruled the Barcelona teenager offside.
Deschamps introduced fresh legs in an attempt to revive France's challenge, but Spain's disciplined defensive shape continued to frustrate every attacking move.
France's best opportunity to reduce the deficit fell to Mbappe, whose powerful effort was expertly turned away by Simon.
Mbappe's frustration was evident late in the match when he received a yellow card after a reckless challenge on the Spanish goalkeeper as France's hopes slipped away.
Spain comfortably protected their two-goal advantage until the final whistle, completing an emphatic victory that keeps alive their pursuit of a second FIFA World Cup triumph and confirms their status as one of the tournament's outstanding performers. - July 15, 2026
