Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored as Spain qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the second time and denied 2018 champions France a third successive final.
Spain captain Rodri was 14 when La Roja won their only FIFA World Cup in 2010 and he understands how big the achievement was.
So defeating France, 2-0, in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 14 (Wednesday, July 15, Manila time), in Arlington, Texas – denying Les Bleus a third consecutive finals appearance – was almost understandable.
“It means a lot,” the Manchester City midfielder said on FOX Sports. “We have reached (the World Cup final) only twice in our history. It is very difficult to get here but we want to win this World Cup.”
“We need to rest, see what we can improve and we can expect a more difficult game in the next game.”
After Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty kick in the 22nd minute, Pedro Porro scored the second goal in the 58th minute.
Spain will play Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against the winner of defending champion Argentina and England on Wednesday in Atlanta.
“It’s very sad. Today we lost against ourselves. We didn’t lose against the referee, we didn’t lose against Spain, we lost against ourselves,” French midfielder Rayan Cherki said. “You all know that everyone was afraid of us. The only team that had the ability to eliminate us was ourselves. Today was bad.”
France looked undefeated in the tournament, with an unblemished record and a 16-2 goal difference against their first six opponents. But the Spaniards are confident after beating their opponents in their last two semi-final matches – the 2025 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship – to the title.
“We showed the character we have in the team and how we matured in the big time,” said Rodri. “In certain moments and in big moments, and this is the most important thing for me, to wait for your minutes, so you don’t get mad if they punish you because they are a very good team. Composure is the key for this team.”
Spain dominated from the start and France trailed for the first time in the tournament when Oyarzabal scored his fifth World Cup goal with a powerful shot into the top right corner.
Lamine Yamal, a day after his 19th birthday, drew a foul from Lucas Digne on the right side of the box.
Marc Cucurella’s long cross was flicked into the air by Digne. As he was trying to volley, Yamal got behind him and when the ball hit his left shoulder, Digne kicked him in the left thigh, causing Yamal to fall.
Spain – now in possession of a 37-match unbeaten run (30 wins, seven draws) to equal Italy’s European record – continued to play with a collective composure that France could not invade.
“It’s hard to describe my feelings. But I think it’s something equal to joy, and pride, as I always say, to manage this group of exceptional players like this one,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said to Espanola Television. “We want to continue, continue to improve. We have one step left and we will reach it.”
Spain got their second goal when Porro completed a free-and-go with Dani Olmo at the top of the penalty area on the right. Olmo was pressured by Dayot Upamecano, which left Porro unmarked to touch down twice before striking.
“We were beaten technically, we were beaten tactically, we were beaten in the fight,” Cherki said. “Today is a very big disappointment.”
France coach Didier Deschamps, who will end his 14-year run with the national team on Saturday, coached his 26th World Cup match to break the tie with West Germany’s Helmut Schon for the most goals in history.
“There is one game left for him and we have to play the best game for him because he deserves it and the fans deserve it, to finish third in this World Cup,” France forward Kylian Mbappe said.
France was looking to become the third nation to qualify for three consecutive finals, joining West Germany (1982, 1986 and 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998 and 2002). The French won the World Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up to Argentina in 2022.
That meant nothing to La Roja.
“Today we faced one of the best teams in the world, but in front of them (France), they faced the best team in the world,” De la Fuente said to FOX Sports. “That was different. It’s a big advantage. These players deserve everything because they show day after day their dedication, their solidarity, their talent. It’s a joy to see them play. Today they gave us a show.” – Rappler.com
