DALLAS : Spain are back in the FIFA World Cup final after 16 years, sweeping past France with a ruthless 2-0 victory in the first semi-final at AT&T Stadium.
Mikel Oyarzabal broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, sending the French keeper the wrong way. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute with a crisp finish, silencing the French bench and sparking Spanish celebrations.
France pushed hard in the final half-hour but found no way past a rock-solid Spanish defense and goalkeeper Unai Simón, who produced two crucial saves to keep a clean sheet.
The result ends Spain’s long wait since their 2010 triumph in South Africa. They now await the winner of tomorrow’s second semi-final between Argentina and England, to be played in New York.
For France, the defeat marks a disappointing exit for the 2022 runners-up, who never found their rhythm against Spain’s high-press and quick tran
sitions.
