Spain Dominates France 2-0, Eyes World Cup Final Showdown with England!

NOW we know why they believed they could tame the great entertainers.

And now we know what England must overcome if they get a shot at ending those 60 years of hurt.

Spain set up a World Cup final against Argentina or England after a heroic win over France Credit: Getty Kylian Mbappe couldn’t inspire France on the big stage Credit: EPA Lucas Digne gave away a penalty in the first half after accidentally kicking Lamine Yamal Credit: AFP Mikel Oyzarzabal converted the resulting spot kick to hand Spain the lead Credit: Getty

A Texas afternoon which was supposed to showcase Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance instead provided all the evidence why Spain conquered Europe two years ago, and are 90 minutes away from conquering the world.

Mikel Oyarazal’s first half penalty, after Lucas Digne felled Lamine Yamal with a wild, careless slash across his upper leg, gave la Furia Roja the edge they needed.

And when Pedro Porro, of all people, popped up unmarked under the roof of the “Jerry Dome” to slide home the second just before the hour, there was no way back.

This was, too, a victory for coaching, for the tactical intelligence and maturity of Luis de la Fuente’s team, dominating the key battles as Rodri marshalled his men, forcing errors, playing their game and not allowing France to come close to imposing their own.

For all they have glittered here in the USA, France, Mbappe and all, didn’t turn up when it mattered.

Out-thought and out-fought, mastered in every facet of the game, there could be no real complaints for Didier Deschamps.

Now they will be heading to Miami, for the game nobody wants to play in, on Saturday. Let us hope they are playing Argentina.

But Spain, with a teenage talent and sheer organisation, march on, to the outskirts of the Big Apple, the ultimate glory within their grasp.

Spain celebrate striking first blood against the pre-tournament favourites Credit: EPA Tottenham star Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the second half Credit: AFP

Deservedly, too. France arrived as the favourites, the best attack in the World Cup at their disposal.

Yet Spain believed they had the magic ingredients in their locker. Not just Yamal.

De la Fuente could not have drafted a better script himself.

Spanish possession versus French attempted turnover penetration, tight, tetchy and tense. Exactly what transpired.

Even though Spain did not do too much with their early ball, they were so defensively sound, funnelling back to snuff out the potential breaks from Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Mbappe in transition.

One terrific intervention by Porro, stopping Mbappe in his tracks, was an example of why Spain had conceded just one goal before arriving in Dallas.

Of course, the officials will always have a bearing on things.

Salvadoran ref Ivan Barton booked Adrien Rabiot for accidentally standing on Dani Olmo’s foot, then allowed Olise get away with a far nastier one he left on Rodri.

The right-back went wild as his strike put Spain on the cusp of the World Cup final Credit: AFP

But it was hard to argue with the spot-kick decision that handed Spain the opener,

After getting his head on Marc Cucurella’s cross, Digne simply didn’t see Yamal coming, his left boot whacking the Barca tyro across his thigh as he moved into the line of the swinging leg.

Oyarzabal did the rest, smashing high to Mike Maignan’s left. His fifth of the tournament.

France had not previously trailed.

And when Arsenal ace William Salaiba’s ongoing back issue flared up, with Palace’s Maxence Lacroix on, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta may have been almost as concerned as Deschamps.

France simply couldn’t get going, smothered by Spain’s relentless efficiency, Pau Cubarsi and French-born Aymeric Laporte mopping up with ease, Unai Simon out of his box when Mbappe escaped the high line.

And without a vital touch by Dayot Upemacano, diverting Fabian Ruiz’ close-range effort wide after lovely one-touch stuff from Yamal and Olmo when Baena cut out Maignan’s panicky clearance, Spain would have been two to the good.

Half-time and two shots, neither on target, for France – who had tested the keeper every 12 minutes across their first five games.

Deschamps has been the master of making attacking changes but he needed to produce a rabbit out of the hat to transform this one.

You could see the tension on Mbappe’s face as he led his side back out for the second half. It was a moment of truth.

Worried about Rabiot getting another yellow, Deschamps had sent on Manu Kone to partner Aurielian Tchouameni in the middle.

But France were still being stymied and frustrated, the extra body in the centre of the park allowing Spain to dictate the terms of engagement.

Deschamps seemed befuddled in the dug-out, his side’s increasing desperation leaving more space for Yamal to look to exploit.

Instead, seconds after he sent on Desire Doue, it was Porro who took advantage of Kone’s unwillingness to track his run in a give and go with Olmo.

It still needed to be finished but the Spurs defender did exactly that.

Yamal had a third chalked off for a close but correct offside call while Cucurella got a foot to deflect Mbappe’s effort wide – the first time France had even threatened.

This time, though, even Mbappe, brought to the deck, holding his ankle, after being caught by a Yamal lunge, proved powerless.

France were left shattered and bereft as Spain celebrated. The scale of England’s potential task is even more obvious.