Spain beat France 2-0 with a controlled masterclass to reach the World Cup final

Spain delivered a stunning lesson in control, composure and collective football as they beat France 2-0 to reach just their second World Cup final.

France arrived in Dallas as favourites. With Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise in attack, they looked like the most dangerous side left in the tournament. Spain made them look ordinary.

Spain’s World Cup final place was secured through a performance built on structure, discipline and ruthless timing. Luis de la Fuente’s team did not overwhelm France with endless shots, but they controlled the spaces, dictated the rhythm and punished the moments that mattered.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Lamine Yamal was fouled by Lucas Digne. Pedro Porro then doubled the lead in the second half with a superb finish after a clever exchange involving Dani Olmo.

Those were Spain’s only two shots on target. They did not need more.

France, by contrast, managed just three efforts on target. Their star names were smothered by Spain’s midfield and frustrated by a defensive unit that has now kept six clean sheets in seven games. Belgium are still the only team to score against Spain at this World Cup.

The Spain World Cup final run has not always looked spectacular. They began with a flat 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. They needed a late winner to get past Portugal in the last 16 and another late goal to beat Belgium in the quarter-finals.

But against France, everything clicked.

Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton said Spain had “flattened” France, while Roy Keane argued that France looked like brilliant individuals rather than a proper team. Spain, he said, had been a joy to watch.

That was the difference. France had names. Spain had a system.

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo dominated the midfield battle. Olmo, operating as a roaming number 10, repeatedly dropped into pockets of space and gave France problems they never solved. Spain’s full-backs also pushed high, forcing France’s wide players and defenders into uncomfortable decisions.

The second goal showed that perfectly. Pedro Porro made the run, received the return pass and finished the move with confidence. France’s defensive block looked passive. Spain looked prepared.

The Spain World Cup final place also marks another triumph for De la Fuente. When he took over in December 2022, some questioned whether he had the profile for the job. Since then, he has led Spain to the Nations League, Euro 2024 and now the World Cup final.

He said his players deserved the moment because of their effort, talent and sacrifice. He also said Spain had recaptured the spirit of 2010, when they won their only World Cup.

The numbers support him. Spain have now equalled Italy’s record 37-match unbeaten run in international football. Lamine Yamal has still never lost a game for Spain and has won every World Cup or European Championship match he has started.

The Spain World Cup final story is not just about one teenage star, though. Yamal created danger, but this was a team victory. De la Fuente has built a side where the collective matters more than any individual.

France must now prepare for the third-place play-off. Spain can look ahead to Sunday, where they will face either England or Argentina.

The Spain World Cup final challenge will be different, but this semi-final felt like a warning. Spain did not just beat France. They controlled them, frustrated them and made one of the tournament favourites look lost.

Spain’s World Cup final place is deserved, and after this masterclass, they may now be the team everyone fears most.