Spain produced a dominant display to defeat France 2-0 on Tuesday and book a place in only the second FIFA World Cup final in the nation’s history.
The European champions outplayed tournament favourites France in a commanding semi-final performance, extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches and moving within one victory of a second World Cup title.
France entered the encounter as favourites after an impressive campaign built around the attacking brilliance of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, but Luis de la Fuente’s side neutralised the French attack with a disciplined and composed performance.
Spain’s victory marked another statement of intent from a team that has quietly grown stronger as the tournament progressed. Despite an underwhelming start that included a draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde, La Roja have now kept six clean sheets in seven matches.
The result sends Spain into Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or England.
France, meanwhile, will contest the third-place playoff after managing just three shots on target against a Spanish side that controlled possession and dictated the tempo throughout the contest.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton hailed Spain’s display, describing it as one of the standout performances of the tournament.
“Spain scalped France, they flattened France. We have given France so much praise in this tournament, but they were swatted aside by silky Spain. In the main, Spain outfought and outplayed this French team,” Sutton said.
With confidence soaring and momentum firmly on their side, Spain will head into the final as favourites to add the World Cup to the European Championship title they already hold.
They will face either Argentina or England on July 19.
