By Lee Tae-dong | THE CHOLSUNILBO
Spain, ranked 3rd in the FIFA rankings, secured a 2-0 clean-sheet victory over strong favorite France, 1st, advancing to the FIFA World Cup in North America final.
This marks their first final in 16 years since winning the 2010 South Africa tournament and their second appearance in the final in history.
France failed to reclaim the World Cup title for the first time in eight years as their attacking line, including captain Kylian Mbappé, who had been contributing attacking points in every match, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, remained silent.
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the first semifinal of the tournament, held at Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA, on July 15, Korean time.
In the 20th minute of the first half, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal earned a penalty kick, taking an early lead.
Yamal’s wit and tenacity shone. Yamal dove into a challenge from French defender Lucas Hernández, who attempted to clear a Spanish cross, and was struck in the torso by Hernández’s kick, leading to an immediate penalty decision.
Hernández failed to notice Yamal sprinting from behind and swung his leg, which proved costly.
Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the penalty in the 22nd minute, putting Spain 1-0 up.
France faced an unsettled first half as starting center-back William Saliba was forced off due to injury just eight minutes later.
Maintaining a one-goal lead, Spain controlled the game with their signature passing style and added a second goal through a brilliant team play in the 13th minute of the second half.
Right-sided defender Pedro Porro received the ball high up the field and broke through the defensive wall with Dani Olmo via a 2v1 pass.
Porro, presented with a 1v1 chance, confidently slotted the ball past the French goalkeeper.
In defense, goalkeeper Unai Simón’s performance stood out, setting a new record for the longest clean-sheet streak in World Cup history.
Simón repeatedly rushed out of his goal to intercept France’s penetrating passes, neutralizing their signature speed-based attacks.
Simón, including one match from the previous Qatar tournament, has maintained a clean sheet for six consecutive World Cup matches, showcasing exceptional form in North America.
Before conceding a goal in the round of 16 against Belgium, his consecutive clean-sheet time reached 650 minutes.
The defense, led by Aymeric Laporte—a French-born naturalized Spanish international—also delivered an ironclad performance. They did not allow a single shot on target until the 35th minute of the second half, with France’s total expected goals for the match at just 0.3.
Spain has conceded only one goal in seven matches so far in the tournament.
Spain has now defeated France in the semifinals of three consecutive major tournaments: UEFA Euro 2024, last year’s European Nations League, and this World Cup.
In 2024, they won 2-1, and last year, they triumphed 5-4, advancing to the finals of both tournaments. Spain won the Euro by defeating England, while they lost to Portugal in the Nations League final.
Spain will face the winner of the second semifinal between England and Argentina, scheduled for July 16, in the final on the morning of July 20.
France, aiming for their third consecutive World Cup final appearance since Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, fell short once again against Spain.
Kylian Mbappé, competing with Lionel Messi (Argentina) for the record of becoming the first two-time Golden Boot winner at the World Cup, is now at a disadvantage.
Both Messi and Mbappé are tied at eight goals, but Messi has two matches remaining, while Mbappé has one.
France will play the third-place playoff against the loser of the England-Argentina semifinal on July 19, the day before the final.
Spain players who defeated France in the FIFA World Cup in North America semifinal on the 15th celebrate in unison. /EPA-Yonhap
