How an unlikely Spain player stunned France to clinch World Cup final berth

Spain’s march toward a second World Cup title began not with a flourish but with a quiet assertion of control. In a repeat of their Euro 2024 semi-final victory, Luis de la Fuente’s side again subdued France, this time by 2-0 in Dallas, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. The result stripped Didier Deschamps of a third consecutive final and left Kylian Mbappé’s France, once hailed as tournament favourites, staring at an uncertain future.

A night of defensive mastery

France entered the match as the bookmakers’ favourites, but their vaunted front four—once the terror of Europe—was rendered toothless by a Spanish rearguard operating with near-perfect discipline. After 35 minutes, France’s expected goals total stood at just 0.01; by half-time, it had crept to 0.04. The numbers told the story: a side built on relentless pressure had been met with an immovable object.

Spain’s approach mirrored their 2010 World Cup-winning blueprint: suffocating possession married to an almost impenetrable defence. The French, for all their individual brilliance, could not find a way through. Even Mbappé, who may yet rewrite World Cup history, was denied the decisive moment. Instead, it was Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad striker whose Euro 2024 winner had already announced him as a clutch performer, who struck the decisive blow.

Unlikely heroes and forgotten narratives

Oyarzabal’s goal was not just a moment of individual quality but a reminder of Spain’s depth. The striker, often overshadowed by more celebrated teammates, has now delivered in two major tournaments. His strike, combined with Porro’s strike, underscored a simple truth: this Spain side is not defined by one player but by a collective resilience that has outlasted even the most glamorous opposition.

Porro, fresh from a relegation scrap with Tottenham, added a second with a finish that will silence any doubts about his ability to thrive under pressure. His presence in the squad is a testament to Spain’s willingness to blend domestic talent with Premier League experience—a formula that has served them well in this tournament.

Tactical evolution: control without dogma

De la Fuente’s team no longer relies on the tiki-taka of old. Instead, they have refined their approach into a flexible system that prioritises control without sacrificing directness. The midfield pivot of Rodri and Pedri ensures dominance in possession, while the full-backs—Porro and Marc Cucurella—provide the width that stretches opponents to breaking point.

France, by contrast, struggled to impose their rhythm. Their once-fearsome front four looked disjointed, and even when they threatened, Spain’s defence—marshalled by Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand—remained resolute. The lesson is clear: in modern tournaments, brute force alone is not enough. Spain have shown that tactical intelligence, when executed with precision, can dismantle even the most gifted attacks.

With this victory, Spain stand on the brink of history. A win in the final would make them only the second nation to hold both the European Championship and World Cup simultaneously—a feat last achieved by West Germany in 1974. For Deschamps, whose reign ends with a semi-final exit, the torch has been passed to a new generation. For Spain, the path to greatness is now wide open.