NEW YORK (MNN); Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup final for the first time since 2010 after a commanding 2-0 victory over France in the first semifinal played on Tuesday.
Facing one of the tournament’s strongest attacking sides led by Kylian Mbappé, Spain produced another disciplined defensive display while capitalising on their scoring opportunities to secure a deserved place in Sunday’s title match.
Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty to put his side ahead. The Spaniards doubled their advantage in the 58th minute as Pedro Porro finished a well-worked move following an assist from Dani Olmo, leaving France with an uphill task.
Despite creating several attacking opportunities, France failed to break through Spain’s organised defence as Luis de la Fuente’s side comfortably protected its lead until the final whistle.
The victory sends Spain into their first World Cup final in 16 years, where they will face the winner of Wednesday’s second semifinal between England and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The defeat also marks the end of an era for France, as head coach Didier Deschamps will conclude his successful tenure without adding another World Cup title to the one he won in 2018.
Deschamps, who has already announced he will step down after the tournament, has guided France since 2012, leading Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup triumph and the 2022 final. He also lifted the World Cup as France captain in 1998.
Following Tuesday’s defeat, France will now play the third-place playoff against the loser of Wednesday’s semifinal.
The French coach endured an emotional tournament after briefly leaving the squad to attend his mother’s funeral before returning to lead his team in the knockout stages.
After the final whistle, Deschamps embraced captain Kylian Mbappé on the touchline in what could be one of their final moments together on the international stage.
Attention now turns to the second semifinal, where England and Argentina will battle for the remaining place in the final. The eagerly anticipated clash will mark the first World Cup meeting between the two football rivals in more than two decades.
The encounter is expected to feature some of the world’s biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, with the winner earning the right to face Spain in Sunday’s championship match.
