Spain is through to the World Cup final after a commanding 2-0 semifinal win over France in Arlington, Texas.
A Spanish penalty in the 21st minute put La Roja ahead, and Pedro Porro’s goal in the 58th minute sealed the victory. Spain controlled large stretches of the match and neutralized France’s attacking threats, including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.
France had come into the tournament as one of the favorites, having won the 2018 World Cup and finished runner-up in 2022, but could not find a way past Spain’s defense. Mbappé entered the game leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals and three assists (just ahead of Lionel Messi’s eight goals and two assists).
Spain’s run to the final has been built on a stingy defense — the team has conceded just one goal in this World Cup — and extraordinary consistency: it remains unbeaten for two years, a 37-game stretch (28 wins, 9 draws, 0 losses).
The reigning European champions and 2010 World Cup winners will now face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England in Sunday’s final. France will play the third-place match on Saturday against the losing side from that other semifinal.
Photo: Pedro Porro celebrates his goal. Credit: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images.