Spain advanced to the World Cup final on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over France in the semifinal match held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game featured contrasting styles and highlighted Spain's tactical discipline and collective effort in overcoming a French team led by Kylian Mbappé, one of the tournament’s top scorers.

Spain took an early lead in the 22nd minute when Lucas Digne of France conceded a penalty after fouling Spain’s 19-year-old rising star, Lamine Yamal. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the spot-kick, setting the tone for a game in which Spain controlled possession and limited France’s offensive threats. Despite France’s dynamic roster—including Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise—Spain’s midfield and defense stifled their usual fluidity, frustrating the French side throughout.

France, which had been one of the standout teams in the tournament’s earlier stages, struggled to adjust their game plan against Spain’s tactical approach. The French coach, Didier Deschamps, fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation that was effectively neutralized by Spain’s disciplined midfield duo of Rodri, a former Ballon d’Or winner recently returned from injury, and Fabián Ruiz. Spain’s press and positional discipline meant France’s key playmakers were often isolated, resulting in a subdued performance by Mbappé, who finished the match without scoring despite entering as the World Cup’s joint top scorer with eight goals.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players’ cohesion and attitude, emphasizing the importance of team unity during a demanding 39-day tournament. Spain’s run is part of a broader period of success, having won the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and reached the recent European Championship final. The semifinal win marked Spain’s third consecutive victory over France in major tournaments, maintaining their unbeaten streak in international play at 37 matches, one of the longest in men’s soccer history.

Individual performances also stood out for Spain. Pedro Porro earned man-of-the-match honors, scoring Spain’s second goal with a precise finish late in the match. Defensively, Aymeric Laporte and the young Pau Colsani effectively contained the French attack, particularly Mbappé, highlighting the team’s balance between experience and emerging talent.

For France, the result raises questions about whether this generation of stars, including Mbappé who is now 27, can secure a second World Cup title after reaching the final in the last two tournaments. Mbappé, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and took responsibility as captain. He scored eight goals in the tournament but was largely neutralized in this semifinal by Spain’s tactical setup.

Spain will now face either Argentina or England in the final to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. The victory signals a potential new era for Spanish football, marked by a disciplined, pragmatic style that contrasts with the flair and speed of previous French teams.