France 0-2 Spain
Didier Deschamps will bow out as France manager in defeat, emphatically denied a third successive World Cup final by Spain. It is the European champions who will face England or Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday after one of the most extraordinary no-shows.
France, almost universally accepted as the favourites, went missing when it mattered, falling behind for the first time at this tournament inside 22 minutes and never recovering.
Just as they did 16 years ago, Spain will have the chance to hold both major international titles simultaneously. Luis de la Fuente’s plan worked perfectly, the full-backs playing a starring role on the road to the final. For the best defence of the summer, it was another clean sheet.
Yet the greater surprise is that France crashed out with such meekness that it became hard to remember why they were thought indomitable just days ago. Having brushed aside the likes of Norway, Morocco and Sweden, Kylian Mbappe had no service, drifting left and right in search of the ball.
His teammates began to crumble the moment Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal inside the box, the penalty converted expertly by Mikel Oyarzabal. The VAR found little in handball claims against Yamal, who turned 19 this week.
From there, and without Arsenal’s William Saliba who withdrew through injury, the defending did not improve – in fact, in spells France did not even attempt it, the same ponderous attitude that raised its head in the group stages. As Dayot Upamecano floundered, Pedro Porro seized on the space to finish with the side of his foot past Mike Maignan for just his second international goal.
Any prospect of a French fightback did not materialise, Desire Doue squandering the opportunity when Unai Simon came soaring off his line. Rodri continued to set the tempo and Marc Cucurella excelled on the left in Spain’s most accomplished display yet.
France were champions in Russia in 2018 and runners-up in Qatar four years ago, when they were beaten by Argentina. If England do reach the final, it will be Spain – who beat them in the showpiece at Euro 2024 – who lie in wait.
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