Watch: Porro, Oyarzabal take Spain to World Cup final with decisive 2-0 win against France

For only the second time in history, Spain have reached the World Cup final after a near-flawless display in Dallas swept aside a French team that never found its rhythm.

Spain managed to assert its dominance early with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a text-book penalty in 22nd minute, extinguishing France’s dream of a third World Cup triumph.

Oyarzabal hurtled the ball past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament to leave France trailing for the first time this World Cup.

The French went into the game as a favourites following a series of very strong performances in the tournament, but early in the game they found themselves on the back foot and never recovered, with Spain showing confidence and control for much of the game’s play.

The team that captivated fans in thrilling wins against Morocco, Paraguay and Sweden was nowhere to be found, meeting their match against the reigning European champions.

Minutes after the landed penalty, France took another hit when William Saliba — their centre-back — was forced off the pitch by lower back injury.

Spain went agonisingly close to extending their lead after some dazzling one-touch football but Dayot Upamecano’s challenge denied Fabian Ruiz.

France finished the first half without a single shot on target, and just two attempts overall. They had a daunting task ahead of them; only two sides in history have overturned a one-nil deficit heading into half time at a semi final.

In the end France was not to become the third.

Deschamps threw on Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola in the 57th minute, hoping to supercharge his attack but a minute later they were 2-0 down after a stunning team goal for Luis de la Fuente’s men.

Defender Porro delivered a sharp pass to the feet of Dani Olmo on the edge of the box and collected the return ball before coolly slotting past Maignan to double the team’s lead.

Despite a livelier second half, France could not find a way back into the game against solid opponents who commanded strong play and were quick to regain possession when France took their chances.

In the 67th minue Mbappé took a shot from the edge of the box, but it went too wide. France had three attempts on target but was unable to land any of them.

Spain have conceded just once in the entire tournament, combining an impenetrable defence with consistent and creative attacks.

They are now just 90 minutes away from winning the first-ever 48-team World Cup as they seek to match the achievement of Vicente del Bosque’s team 16 years ago.

This is the first time since 2014 France won’t be playing in the World Cup finals. They won against Croatia in 2018, and took home silver after a nail-biting loss to Argentina in 2022.

France will find out tomorrow who they are facing in the bronze play-offs, when England takes on defending champions Argentina.

— With additional reporting by Agency France-Presse

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