Spain advanced to the World Cup final with a dominant performance that left France struggling to find any rhythm or cohesion. The Spanish controlled the match from start to finish, leaving the French looking disjointed and desperately searching for answers as the tournament's semifinal slipped away.
The turning point came early in the second half when Porro broke through for Spain's second goal, executing a slick wall pass that exposed France's defensive vulnerabilities. Yamal's near-miss moments later only underscored Spanish superiority, with an offside flag denying what would have been a third goal. By that stage, the match had fundamentally shifted in Spain's favor.
France's attack misfired repeatedly. Mbappe, typically lethal, sent shots high and wide when chances emerged. Doue hesitated when presented with a genuine scoring opportunity after Simon's miscalculation left him exposed, allowing the keeper to recover and make a crucial save. The hesitation epitomized France's second-half collapse.
Spain's approach proved devastatingly effective. They controlled possession, moved the ball with precision, and forced France into reactive play. The French looked out of sync from the resumption of the second half, never generating the urgency needed to mount a comeback. Their defensive backline, particularly Digne, faced relentless pressure from Spain's pacey attackers, with Yamal repeatedly exploiting the left flank.
As the match entered its final minutes, Spain continued dictating play while France grew increasingly desperate. Late attempts from Dembele and Mbappe lacked conviction, sailing over the bar or into Spanish hands. France's failure to create meaningful attacking opportunities stood in stark contrast to Spain's controlled, patient dominance.
The semifinal ended with Spain in possession, running down the clock, and France having exhausted their options. For Spain, it marked a return to the final stage of world football's biggest tournament. For France, it represented a shocking exit from a competition where they had entered as defending champions.
Author James Rodriguez: "Spain came to play like the better team and showed it for 90 minutes, while France looked like they forgot to board the same flight."
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