Spain has secured its place in the World Cup final after delivering a commanding 2-0 victory over France in Tuesday's semifinal match at Arlington, Texas. The result marks a stunning upset of one of the tournament's pre-competition favorites and extends Spain's remarkable unbeaten run to 37 consecutive games.
The defeat represents a disappointing conclusion for France, which entered this World Cup as a leading contender after capturing the 2018 World Cup title and reaching the 2022 final, where the team fell to Argentina. Despite those credentials, France proved unable to match Spain's dominance throughout the semifinal contest.
Spain's defensive prowess has been a defining characteristic of their tournament run. The team has conceded just one goal throughout the entire World Cup and has not suffered a defeat in two years, compiling a record of 28 wins, nine draws, and zero losses during that span.
Tuesday's match marked a historic moment for both sides, as neither team had trailed at any point during this World Cup prior to Spain's breakthrough. A Spanish penalty kick in the 21st minute gave Spain a 1-0 advantage, breaking the deadlock. Spain doubled their lead in the 58th minute, effectively sealing the victory and their passage to the final.
Spain's defense successfully neutralized France's formidable attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. Mbappé entered the semifinal as the tournament leader in the Golden Boot race with eight goals and three assists, narrowly ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has recorded eight goals and two assists.
Spain, the reigning European champion and 2010 World Cup winner, will contest Sunday's final against the victor of Wednesday's semifinal between Argentina and England. The Spanish side enters the championship match riding a wave of momentum, having demonstrated both offensive efficiency and defensive solidity throughout the tournament.
France will have one final opportunity to salvage their World Cup campaign, facing the losing team from the Argentina-England semifinal in Saturday's third-place match. Pedro Porro scored Spain's second goal during the semifinal, capping a performance that showcased the team's tactical superiority and championship pedigree.
