ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a thrilling encounter, Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty kick and Pedro Porro's goal propelled Spain to a 2-0 victory over France, allowing them to advance to their first World Cup final since their triumph in 2010. The match took place on Tuesday, marking a significant achievement for the Spanish national team.
The standout performance came from 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who made an impactful run that led to Oyarzabal's penalty in the 22nd minute. Yamal had a close call shortly after Porro's goal in the 58th minute, as his seemingly legitimate attempt at goal was ruled offside. Nevertheless, his clever play against seasoned defender Lucas Digne was crucial in securing Spain’s lead against the FIFA top-ranked team.
With this victory, Spain prepares to face either defending champions Argentina or England in the World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. These two teams will compete for a spot in the final on Wednesday in Atlanta.
The defeat means that Kylian Mbappé and France will not achieve the feat of being the third team to participate in three consecutive World Cup finals. Instead, they will compete for third place against a yet-to-be-determined opponent in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, just one day before the championship match takes place.
This victory also highlights a streak for Spain; it marks the third consecutive summer tournament semifinal match where Spain has overcome France. Yamal previously scored in a 2-1 win during the 2024 European Championship semifinals just before his 17th birthday and Spain triumphed 5-4 over France in the Nations League last year. Such a consistent record against a formidable opponent speaks volumes about Spain's current form.
Prior to this match, Yamal had expressed confidence, indicating that France should be wary of Spain. His assertion certainly rang true on the field, as Spain executed their game plan effectively. Oyarzabal’s penalty was the culmination of a decisive moment where Yamal drew a foul after being kicked by Digne. Initially, Digne attempted to clear the ball with a poor touch but found himself outmaneuvered by the young forward.
The penalty goal was notable as it was the first time either team had trailed throughout their seven games in this tournament. Oyarzabal’s successful kick was his fifth goal of the World Cup, contributing to his impressive tally of 30 goals in 60 international matches for Spain.
As Spain gears up for the final, the focus will be on maintaining their strong performances and leveraging their recent success to capture the World Cup title once more.
