- Rodri runs show for La Roja with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedro Porro
- Mbappe, Olise go missing, as Lucas Digne delivers disastrous display
- Les Bleus’ blow chance to reach third-straight El-Mundial final
Reigning European champions Spain delivered a tactical masterclass to end France’s hopes of a third successive World Cup final berth with a sensational and dominant 2-0 victory at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Taxas on Tuesday night.
With a clinical display of possession and stifling defence, Spain continues their absolute dominance over Les Bleus, shutting out Kylian Mbappé in a blistering match that saw first and second-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealing victory and booking Luis de la Fuente’s side a ticket to the ultimate World Cup clash.
In the highly anticipated blockbuster encounter, a penalty from Oyarzabal and a second-half strike from Pedro did the magic in a spectacular, all-out demolition that should certainly strike fear into both England and Argentina preparing for their semi-final showdown today.
The Spaniards dominated possession from the outset, and took the lead midway through the first half when Lamine Yamal was fouled by Lucas Digne in the France penalty area and Oyarzabal made no mistake from the spot. La Roja should have made it 2-0, too, but Fabian Ruiz’s effort was blocked after some intricate passing from Yamal and Dani Olmo.
For France, the World Cup campaign ended in dismal fashion. They were comprehensively outclassed with their heroes Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele kept quiet as the team failed to register a single shot on target in the first 80 minutes of this semi-final tie
The tournament favourites were underwhelming from the start before they fell behind midway through the first-half. It was Lucas Digne who put them in jeopardy, though, when he ended up kicking Lamine Yamal for a clear spot kick, which Oyarzabal easily converted, leaving France with a deficit for the first time in this competition.
From then on, the Frenchmen scarcely looked capable of taking control of the tie and Spain had an answer for every attempt Mpabbe, Dembele, Olise and Bradley Barcola had at weaving or passing their way through. Unfortunately, Coach Didier Deschamps had few ideas on how to keep Yamal, Oyarzabal or Dani Olmo silent.
The pattern of the game continued after half-time, Though they got a few first-half warnings when Spain whizzed their way through on several occasions without really testing Keeper Mike Maignan, France never learned. So, the European Champions made easy work of their second goal just before the hour mark. Substitute Maxence Lacroix, on for first-half casualty William Saliba, was tricked into stepping up as full-back Porro traded passes with Olmo on the edge of the box and simply finished past the French Keeper with aplomb.
Yamal looked to have made it three soon after when he burst clear and curled a shot into the top corner, but the teenager’s celebrations were cut short after he was proven to be narrowly offside. France pushed to get back into the game, but besides a couple of off-target efforts from Mbappe, they never looked like pulling a goal back and setting up a grandstand finish.
On the whole, the curtains drew to a close on Didier Deschamps’ legendary era as the French National team coach with the European football powerhouse falling just short of a third consecutive final, while Manager Luis de la Fuente’s clinical squad rightfully secured their place in the ultimate championship match, courtesy of their masterclass tactical performance. – With Goal.com reports
