Spain beat France to reach World Cup final as hunt for historic feat continues
· Yahoo Sports
Spain secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup final, knocking out a poor French side with one of the most impressive performances of the tournament to date.
Mikel Oyarzabal broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the first half after Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal. The reigning UEFA European champions then asserted their dominance after the break as Pedro Porro finished off a slick team move. Yamal believed he had added a third moments later, only to be denied by the offside flag.
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Luis de la Fuente's side will now shift their focus to a showdown against either Argentina or England in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday. France, meanwhile, must contend with the third-place playoff against the other losing semi-finalist, which will serve as Didier Deschamps' final match as Les Bleus boss, as per The Mirror.
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As anticipated, the opening semifinal began with considerable tension, with the only meaningful opportunity coming via Kylian Mbappé following a powerful driving run. However, the French striker was smothered by the Spanish backline.
Spain subsequently burst into life and were handed a prime opportunity to seize the lead midway through the first half as Yamal was brought down by Digne while attempting to clear. Given his remarkable scoring record for Spain, it came as little shock to see Oyarzabal step forward, and he delivered with conviction, firing past Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament.
France's misfortune deepened on the half-hour mark when Arsenal's William Saliba was forced off with an apparent back injury. Spain should have capitalized following a slick passing move, but Fabian Ruiz poked the ball wide from Yamal's cross.
France manager Deschamps attempted to regain the initiative at halftime, withdrawing Adrien Rabiot in favor of Manu Koné, while Bradley Barcola was replaced by Desire Doué shortly afterward.
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However, those substitutions appeared to backfire as Tottenham Hotspur defender Porro executed a sharp one-two with Dani Olmo before slotting past Maignan in the 58th minute.
Yamal believed he had stretched the lead further with a stunning finish, only for his celebrations to be cut short by a tight offside call. France barely threatened in the closing stages, with a deflected effort from Mbappé their best chance of pulling one back.
Doué did find himself with a late opportunity when Unai Simón strayed off his line, but fired straight at the Spain goalkeeper.
Given their pre-tournament tag as World Cup favorites, France will rue a real missed opportunity. Their opponents, however, will toast a stunning victory — and now have the chance to hold both the World Cup and the Euros simultaneously for the second time.