This match served as a resounding statement to anyone who might underestimate Spain’s prowess. They demonstrated their dominance on the field, securing a place in the final on Sunday in New Jersey while leaving France bewildered. Didier Deschamps’ squad, once seen as the favorites, failed to make an impact, with Kylian Mbappé left isolated as Spain took control after scoring.
Spain capitalized on Lucas Digne’s poor defensive play, which led to a penalty midway through the first half, despite some debate over the call’s legitimacy. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty with confidence, and the tension that followed was merely superficial. Pedro Porro’s expertly executed second goal sealed the game, leaving France in a daze, unable to comprehend their predicament.
After an excruciatingly loud DJ-led buildup before the match, the actual game finally began. A World Cup semi-final deserved a better atmosphere than what the closed roof provided, but the sport has a remarkable ability to overcome such distractions.
These teams do not merely produce noise; they exhibit fluidity and finesse when controlling the game. Spain maintained the same starting XI that defeated Belgium, with Mikel Merino ready to come off the bench. Deschamps opted for the returning Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield, which seemed harsh on Manu Koné, and selected Bradley Barcola for his direct style over the more skillful Désiré Doué.
Barcola quickly took on Pedro Porro after Spain’s initial possession, which proved largely unproductive. An early opportunity arose for Álex Baena, but he struck a free-kick directly into the wall.
Mbappé soon wasted a promising attack by overcooking a pass intended for Ousmane Dembélé. France struggled to find rhythm, with Michael Olise passing to Dembélé, who then sent a beautiful ball to Mbappé, but Spain’s defense was well-positioned.
Then, Digne’s blunder shattered any initial respect. The left-back misjudged a cross from the opposite flank, allowing Lamine Yamal to challenge for the ball. Yamal nudged it past Digne, possibly using his upper arm, and was unceremoniously brought down as Digne panicked.
The referee, Iván Barton, had a straightforward decision to make, although the video assistant referee could have intervened. The initial call stood, but replays suggested Yamal may have inadvertently handled the ball.
Oyarzabal, seizing the opportunity, confidently dispatched the penalty past Mike Maignan. Shortly after, France’s defense faced another challenge as William Saliba was forced to leave the pitch, replaced by Maxence Lacroix. Struggling to keep up with Spain, France could not gain a foothold in midfield. Another attempt by Barcola to get past Porro ended in disappointment as he shot wildly over the bar.
France’s struggles continued, with Maignan mishandling a clearance that fell directly to Baena. The thrilling play that followed saw Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal work together to set up Fabián Ruiz. It was a simple tap-in opportunity for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, thwarted only by Dayot Upamecano’s timely block.
Spain maintained a narrow lead at halftime, fully aware that their mission was progressing smoothly. Despite the pre-match hype, France’s offensive players had hardly caused any concern.
For the second half, Koné replaced Adrien Rabiot, who had been on thin ice since an early booking. France needed every player to step up, but Spain continued to dominate, with Oyarzabal firing over the bar. France struggled to keep possession, and when they finally built an attack down the right, Dembélé’s pass went straight out of play.
Before the hour mark, Doué entered the fray, as the gamble on Barcola’s speed had failed, leading to further decline for France. Spain expertly controlled the game and remained alert for additional chances. Porro’s goal was beautifully orchestrated, with Olmo managing to return a pass as a gap opened on France’s left flank. The finish was clinical, making Spain’s performance appear effortless.
The scoreline could have looked even more favorable had Lamine Yamal not been denied a third goal by a narrow offside. It wasn’t until the 64th minute that Mbappé finally made an impact, with Unai Simón deflecting his cross-shot behind for a corner. He also saw a drive from Marc Cucurella deflected just wide, leaving Deschamps yearning for the brief coaching break that followed.
Ultimately, it changed little. Mbappé sent a free-kick over the bar, but Ferran Torres had a chance to add further gloss for Spain, who are now a formidable force to contend with.
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