SOCCER: Spain’s anaconda grip crushes French World Cup dream

ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain advanced to the FIFA World Cup final for the first time since winning the title in 2010 after a commanding 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday, producing a dominant display that neutralized one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacks.

Spain controlled possession from the opening whistle, dictating the tempo and applying relentless pressure that left France with few opportunities to threaten. The European champions limited Les Bleus’ attacking options throughout the match and rarely allowed them to settle into their rhythm.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the box. Oyarzabal confidently converted the spot kick, giving goalkeeper Mike Maignan no chance.

Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage just before the hour mark, finishing a well-worked passing move with Dani Olmo to put the result beyond doubt.

The victory moves Spain within one win of completing a World Cup and European Championship double. They will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between England and Argentina in Sunday’s final.

"It’s a dream come true. To be honest, I never even imagined anything like this, not even in my wildest dreams," Porro said. "We did everything right against a team that was having a brilliant World Cup."

Porro credited Spain’s control of possession as the foundation of the victory.

"One of the key factors that got us into the final was keeping possession of the ball," he said. "It’s a victory for an incredible team, a group of spectacular players — a victory for all 26 players."

France struggled to create meaningful chances against Spain’s disciplined defense, managing only two shots on target despite entering the match with one of the tournament’s most prolific attacks.

Head coach Didier Deschamps admitted Spain were the better team.

"The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best," Deschamps said. "We lacked technical precision and energy. The Spanish are very good at reading interceptions and passes. We would have liked to cause them more problems going forward."

France captain Kylian Mbappé also acknowledged his side’s shortcomings.

"We did not produce the performance we wanted, tactically, technically or in terms of our overall level," Mbappé said. "When you fail to do what you are supposed to do in a World Cup semifinal, you do not win."

"Spain stuck to their plan and to what they believe in. There was a lack of communication in our pressing, and even when we won possession back, our first passes and first touches were not worthy of a World Cup semifinal."

For France, the defeat ended their hopes of lifting another World Cup trophy and sent them into the third-place playoff.

Spain, meanwhile, celebrated reaching another World Cup final, standing one victory away from capturing a second world title and cementing the rise of a new generation led by Yamal and one of international football’s most cohesive squads. -Reporting by Ossian Shine, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters