Edi Umoh
Relentless Spain side overran toothless but tournament favourites France by 2-0 win to reach World Cup final in Dallas Tuesday evening.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a heady play by teenager Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro added another goal that prevented Les Bleus from reaching a third consecutive World Cup final, while Spain return to the showpiece for the first time since 2010.
Both nations took their time to get to grips with eachother in the initial exchanges. When playing without the ball, Spain often deployed themselves in a 4-4-2 setup with ex-Leipzig star Dani Olmo shifting up. The latter would soon be fouled by Adrien Rabiot resulting in the game’s first yellow card.
Also read
- Álvarez Spurs Argentina against Switzerland to reach World Cup semi-finals
- Spain through to World Cup semi-finals After beating Belgium
- Bellingham’s Brace Edges past Norway to Launch England to World Cup semi-finals
The reigning European champions, keen on retaining possession, made the breakthrough in the 22nd-minute.
After a quarterfinal win over Belgium last Friday, Yamal said he believed France should fear Spain.
Lucas Digne failed to spot Lamine Yamal in his peripheral, catching the winger’s leg in the box whilst attempting to clear. Up stepped Mikel Oyarzabal to tuck the penalty past Mike Maignan’s fingertips.
Les Bleus were dealt a second blow as William Saliba hobbled off for ex-Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix.
Barring one wayward strike from Bradley Barcola, France were treading water. Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano crucially cut out a Yamal cross waiting to be converted by Fabian Ruiz before the break.
After his first-half booking, Rabiot made way for ex-Gladbach midfielder Manu Koné.
The second-half took on a similar rhythm as Les Bleus struggled to find a foothold in the attacking third. Spain soon doubled their lead when Olmo’s deft flick set up Pedro Porro who convincingly dispatched for 2-0.
On a quiet evening for the Real Madrid man, Kylian Mbappé’s first sight at the target came via a snapshot before the hydration break.
De La Fuente rang the changes thereafter with Olmo and Ruiz hooked for ex-Dortmund man Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres. The latter headed wide in the box with his first touch.
Didier Deschamps cut a disappointed figure on the sidelines, scratching his chin as to how his side had been so easily subdued. Spain, full value for their victory, leave Dallas with the golden ticket to Sunday’s final where they will face the winner of defending champions Argentina or the nearly men of England.
