SPORTS

Arlington: Spain defeats France to reach World Cup final

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain advanced to the World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over France in Tuesday’s semifinal at AT&T Stadium, delivering a composed and disciplined performance against the tournament favorites. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 20th minute after sustained early pressure, and Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute to give the European champions a firm grip on the match. Spain’s midfield, led by Rodri, controlled the early exchanges and consistently overran the French pairing of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, limiting service to France’s vaunted front four of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise. France’s frustration showed early when Rabiot received a yellow card in the ninth minute for a foul on Dani Olmo, and their problems deepened when defender William Saliba left injured in the 31st minute, forcing coach Didier Deschamps to bring on Maxence Lacroix. Spain maintained their organization at the back, with goalkeeper Unai Simon preserving the two-goal cushion by denying Mbappe in the closing minutes of the first half. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side had faced one of the best national teams but demonstrated they are the best team in the world, while Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament, said his players were devastated and accepted that France had been outplayed. Spain, the reigning European champions, will face either Argentina or England in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Ninth minute Rabiot booked for foul
20th minute Oyarzabal scores penalty opener
31st minute Saliba substituted after injury
Closing minutes first half Simon denies Mbappe
58th minute Porro doubles Spain advantage
Full time Spain eliminates favored France
Sunday Spain to face Argentina or England
Post-match Deschamps confirms imminent France departure

Why This Matters to You

Spain's victory over France is a big upset. It shakes up the World Cup landscape. If you're a soccer fan, this is a game-changer. It's a good time to check the odds for the final match.

The Bottom Line

Spain's disciplined performance led to a deserved win. They've shown they can take on the best and come out on top. If you're a fan of underdogs, this is a story to share. Send this to someone who loves a good sports upset.