Superb Spain thrash France 2-0 to advance to World Cup final
A defensive masterclass from Spain, which will advance to the World Cup final for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010.
France entered the match with the most feared offensive attack among the remaining teams, but was held to only 0.26 expected goals.
Spain’s defense was fantastic, preventing the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé from putting serious pressure on the net.
The loss is France’s first of the World Cup, and prevents the country from making its third straight World Cup final.
Entering the semifinals, France vs. Spain was described as a meeting of two unstoppable forces. France’s high-powered offense against Spain’s all-world defense.
Spain suffocated the French attack, winning 2-0, and now advances to the World Cup final, where it will play either Argentina or England.
Spain has only won the World Cup once, back in 2010.
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal created the team’s first great chance, drawing a foul that led to a penalty kick midway through the first half.
Mikel Oyarzabal calmly buried his shot to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
In the 58th minute, Pedro Porro scored another goal for Spain on a give-and-go play that exposed a French defensive lapse.
