Spain suffocate France to reach their first final since 2010

Spain produced a masterclass to beat France 2-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and reach their first World Cup final since 2010, the year they were crowned champions. Mikel Oyarzabal's first-half penalty and a second-half strike from Pedro Porro settled a semi-final billed as the “final before the final,” and in truth Spain were worthy winners by a distance, controlling the game from the first whistle and never allowing the tournament's pre-match favourites a foothold. It is a third successive summer in which Spain have knocked France out of a major tournament.

Match summary: Oyarzabal from the spot, Porro doubles it

Spain took command early and were rewarded on 22 minutes: teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, celebrating his 18th birthday, drew a foul as Lucas Digne combined a handball and a kick in the box, and Oyarzabal stepped up to convert from the spot — his fifth goal of the tournament and his 30th in 60 Spain caps. It was the first time France had trailed in seven matches. Spain continued to dominate possession and territory after the break and doubled their lead on 58 minutes through Porro, who finished to put the tie beyond France. Behind them, goalkeeper Unai Simon preserved a sixth clean sheet of the campaign as Kylian Mbappe, level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, was kept quiet throughout.

A Spanish stranglehold and a French reckoning

This was Spain at their suffocating best under Luis de la Fuente — a sixth clean sheet underlining the platform on which their run has been built, with Yamal's brilliance the creative spark. Beating France for a third straight summer in a knockout setting cements their status as the continent's dominant force. For France it is a chastening night: the top-ranked side and many analysts' favourites are out at the semi-final stage, Mbappe unable to make his mark and Didier Deschamps' team second best from start to finish. They must regroup for a third-place playoff they will not have wanted.

What's next: a final with Argentina

Spain march on to a World Cup final against Argentina on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, one win from a second world title. Only one of our four AI models called this one: the under 2.5 goals read landed, but the double chance on France missed as Spain won at a canter. France drop into the third-place playoff against England on July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.