Spain’s Pedro Porro celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal against France on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
Spain has secured a spot in the World Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over France in the semifinals.
France, a tournament favorite after winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the 2022 final, ended its campaign with a disappointing loss. Spain proved a formidable opponent, conceding only one goal throughout the tournament and remaining unbeaten in two years, with a 37-game streak comprising 28 wins and 9 draws.
Both teams had not fallen behind in this World Cup until Spain took the lead with a penalty in the 21st minute. They later secured the win with a second goal in the 58th minute and effectively neutralized France’s attacking trio of Kylian MbappĂ©, Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ©, and Michael Olise. MbappĂ© led the Golden Boot race with 8 goals and 3 assists, narrowly ahead of Lionel Messi, who has 8 goals and 2 assists.
Spain, reigning European champions and 2010 World Cup winners, will enter Sunday’s final with confidence, facing the victor of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England.
France will compete once more, playing for third place against the losing team of the other semifinal on Saturday.
