Spain advanced to their second World Cup final after a convincing 2-0 victory over France in Dallas.
It was a scoreline which few would have seen coming against Didier Deschamps’ heavily-fancied side, who had previously swept aside every obstacle placed in their path.
However, once Mikel Oyarzabal fired Spain in front from the penalty spot, there only looked like being one winner.
France looked desperately off the pace in comparison, best epitomised when Lucas Digne showed no spatial awareness whatsoever when inadvertently lashing out on Lamine Yamal in the box.
The Real Sociedad forward made no mistake from the spot, as Les Bleus fell behind for the first time at these finals.
A bad first half would get worse when William Saliba was forced off injured with what looked like a back injury, and Maxence Lacroix entered the fray.
Pedro Porro would then inflict a devastating hammer blow on France’s World Cup hopes just two minutes shy of the hour mark with a fine finish following a neat one-two with Dani Olmo.
Lamine Yamal was then denied a third after a marginal offside call, with Deschamps’ team firmly on the ropes.
Les Bleus’ World Cup campaign ends with a whimper, but this was a superb display from a La Roja side that has largely gone under the radar up to this point.
The world will certainly be taking notice now, as Spain extended their unbeaten run in matches after 90 minutes to 37 games, equalling Italy’s record and setting up a clash with either Argentina or England in New Jersey on Sunday.
