Spain are in the World Cup final — their first since lifting the trophy in 2010. La Roja beat France 2-0 in Tuesday night’s semi-final in Dallas, and produced what was arguably their best performance of the entire tournament to get there.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, after Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal in the box, and Pedro Porro made it two on 58 minutes. Spain were in control from start to finish; France — so impressive against Morocco in the quarter-final — lost William Saliba to an early injury, rarely threatened, and never found a way back. There was no repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-final scare either: on that occasion Spain needed a comeback, this time they never let go of the game.
After edging past Belgium in the quarter-final, Spain saved their most complete display for the biggest stage. They now await the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between England and Argentina.
The final: Sunday 19 July, New York New Jersey Stadium.