• Spain defeats France 2-0 to secure a place in the World Cup final.
• Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals for Spain.
• The victory marks Spain's second final appearance since their 2010 win.
• France will compete for third place after not trailing in any previous match.
• Spain has allowed only one goal throughout the tournament.

In a stunning semifinal match on July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Spain outperformed tournament favorites France, winning 2-0 and securing a spot in the World Cup final. The victory came as Spain displayed exceptional tactical prowess, dominating the match against a highly regarded French side, which had entered as the tournament favorites after winning in 2018 and reaching the finals in 2022.

The match began with high anticipation, and Spain quickly took control. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring early by converting a penalty in the 22nd minute after a foul on teammate Lamine Yamal by French defender Lucas Digne. This penalty marked a significant moment as it was the first time either side had trailed in the tournament, with Spain further solidifying their lead when Pedro Porro scored in the 58th minute, capping a brilliant team effort. This marks Spain’s second World Cup final appearance, following their triumph in 2010, according to SCMP, Al Jazeera, and CBS News.

Spain’s defense was exemplary throughout the match, successfully neutralizing France's feared attack, which featured stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Despite France’s potent offensive lineup, Spain remained resolute, allowing only one goal throughout the tournament. Unai Simon, Spain's goalkeeper, recorded his sixth clean sheet, contributing significantly to the team's defensive record.

France entered the semifinals having succeeded in all previous matches, scoring 14 goals and allowing only two. However, after conceding the penalty, they struggled to reclaim control. “We were shell-shocked,” admitted French coach Didier Deschamps, reflecting on the unexpected defeat. The match was particularly disappointing for France as they aimed to achieve a historic third consecutive World Cup final appearance, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

The defeat means France will now prepare for the third-place playoff against the losing team from the other semifinal, while Spain will face either England or Argentina in the final on Sunday. The victory was hailed by Spain's players as a “dream come true,” with Oyarzabal praising the team's collective effort, which was critical to overcoming France’s attacking strengths during the match, according to Al Jazeera and NPR.