Spain shut out France to reach World Cup final

Spain advanced to the World Cup final with a commanding 2–0 victory over France at Dallas Stadium.

La Roja controlled the early tempo and were rewarded in the 22nd minute. Lamine Yamal reacted quickest inside the penalty area and was caught by Lucas Digne as the France defender attempted to clear, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to slam the resulting penalty beyond Mike Maignan.

France’s problems deepened when William Saliba was forced off injured and replaced by Maxence Lacroix. Spain almost doubled their lead before half-time after a flowing move involving Dani Olmo and Yamal, but Fabián Ruiz’s close-range effort was blocked.

France, led by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, struggled to impose themselves. Their attack remained blunt, while Spain continued to move the ball with greater purpose and precision.

The decisive second goal arrived in the 58th minute. Pedro Porro exchanged passes with Olmo, burst into the penalty area and sidefooted a composed finish past Maignan into the bottom corner.

Yamal briefly thought he had added a third after cutting in from the right, but his finish was ruled out for offside.

France pushed late on, with Mbappé forcing Unai Simón into a save and Désiré Doué wasting a chance after a loose clearance, but Spain held firm.

Spain progressed to their second World Cup final, while France were left to contest the third-place play-off.

Scorers:
Spain: Oyarzabal 22’ (p); Porro 58’

Player of the Match: Pedro Porro