By Razeen Gutta
Spain produced a tactical masterclass to knock tournament favourites France out of the Fifa World Cup, winning 2-0 in Arlington on Tuesday and booking a place in Sunday’s New Jersey final.
The European champions struck first through a 20th minute penalty. Marc Cucurella’s cross led to Lucas Digne catching Lamine Yamal before Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot to beat Mike Maignan.
Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated through the middle.
Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo outran France’s midfield duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, limiting space for Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise.
France had moments. Mbappe was denied by a last-ditch Pau Cubarsi block and Unai Simon later stood tall to keep out the captain’s near-post effort. But injuries didn’t help Didier Deschamps — with William Saliba limping off on the half hour mark.
Spain killed the contest on 58 minutes. Pedro Porro and Olmo combined with a slick one-two, and Porro clipped a composed finish past Maignan for 2-0.
A third was ruled out for a tight offside against Yamal shortly after.
France threw on fresh legs late on, but Spain’s defence held firm. Mbappe’s frustration boiled over into a late booking.
Spain, winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in the final.
For France, the bid for a third World Cup title comes to end here and they will face the losers of Wednesday semi-final in the battle for third place on Saturday.
Pictured above: Pedro Porro
Source: @fifaworldcup
