This match served as a powerful reminder for those who might underestimate Spain’s prowess on the football field. They decisively secured their place in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, while France appeared as mere spectators. Despite being hailed as favorites, Didier Deschamps’ squad failed to make any impact, leaving Kylian Mbappé to wait another four years to reclaim the title, as he struggled to find support amidst Spain’s commanding performance.
Spain capitalized on a critical mistake by Lucas Digne, whose poor defending resulted in a penalty midway through the first half, raising questions about the legitimacy of the call. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty confidently, and from that moment, Spain maintained a firm grip on the match. Pedro Porro’s well-executed second goal sealed the fate of the game, ensuring that Spain’s chances of triumph would not be underestimated again, while a bewildered France seemed unable to comprehend their predicament.
Following a painfully loud pre-match build-up, which seemed to undermine the occasion, the match finally found its rhythm. A World Cup semi-final deserved a better atmosphere, but despite the closed roof amplifying the noise, the teams managed to showcase their skills through the din. Spain maintained the same starting lineup that had triumphed over Belgium, with Mikel Merino poised to contribute from the bench. Deschamps, meanwhile, brought back the fit Aurélien Tchouaméni and opted for the direct approach of Bradley Barcola over the more subtle talents of Désiré Doué.
Barcola made an early attempt to create danger, slipping past Pedro Porro six minutes into what had been largely uneventful Spain possession. For Luis de La Fuente and his players, maintaining control would be vital. An early opportunity for Álex Baena to press forward was wasted as he struck a free-kick directly into the wall.
Spain’s strong start continued, with Mbappé misplaying a promising opportunity by over-hitting a pass intended for Ousmane Dembélé. As France sought to find their rhythm, Michael Olise skillfully played the ball to Dembélé, who in turn set up a chance for Mbappé, but Spain’s defenders were quick to respond.
Then Digne’s blunder turned the match in Spain’s favor. In a moment of panic, the left-back misjudged a cross, allowing Lamine Yamal to challenge for the ball. Yamal nudged it past Digne, seemingly using his arm, and was subsequently brought down, prompting an easy penalty decision for referee Iván Barton. Although there were doubts, video review confirmed that Yamal had indeed made contact with the ball.
Oyarzabal, unperturbed by the situation, calmly converted the penalty past Mike Maignan. Shortly after, France faced another setback as William Saliba had to leave the field, paving the way for Maxence Lacroix. Struggling to regain control in midfield, France found themselves constantly chasing Spain. Barcola’s attempts to threaten Porro ended in frustration as he shot over the bar.
Things only worsened for France as Maignan’s errant clearance fell directly to Baena, leading to an exhilarating sequence where Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal worked together to set up Fabián Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder would have easily scored were it not for Dayot Upamecano’s timely intervention.
Spain went into the break with a slim lead but could feel confident about their performance, having largely neutralized France’s offensive threats.
For the second half, Koné replaced the booked Adrien Rabiot, who had been treading a fine line. France required not just a full squad but also a revival in their play. Yet Spain maintained their dominance, with Oyarzabal shooting over as France struggled to gain possession. When they finally managed to build an attack down the right, Dembélé’s pass went straight out of play.
As the hour mark approached, Doué was introduced, but the gamble on Barcola’s speed had failed, and matters only deteriorated further for France. Spain, having managed the match expertly, continued to press for more opportunities. Porro’s goal was a product of excellent teamwork, with a tumbling Olmo returning the ball to him as Spain exploited a gap on France’s left flank. The finish was precise, demonstrating Spain’s ease in handling the match.
The scoreline might have looked even more one-sided had Lamine Yamal not been flagged for a narrow offside just moments later. It wasn’t until the 64th minute that Mbappé finally made an impact, forcing Unai Simón to deflect his cross-shot out for a corner. Mbappé later saw a deflected shot narrowly miss the target, but Deschamps must have been keen for the brief coaching break that followed.
Ultimately, the break did little to alter the course of the match. Mbappé’s free-kick sailed over the bar, while Ferran Torres could have added further goals for Spain, who now appear as strong contenders for the title.
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