Spain is officially playing for World Cup glory at MetLife Stadium this Sunday, punching their ticket to the final after a massive 2-0 victory over France in Dallas on Tuesday. They absolutely shut down the 2022 runner-up in a semifinal match that puts them just one win away from their second-ever World Cup title. Spain now waits to see if Argentina or England will be their final opponent, with that matchup set for Wednesday.
The Road to the Final: Shutting Down Everyone
This squad’s run has been nothing short of impressive, especially after a shaky start. They opened the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, a team we now know is way better than anyone thought. That draw? It’s still the *only* game where Spain didn't win. They then finished the group stage strong with victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, dominating Group H with seven points. From there, it was a masterclass in knockout football. Spain stomped Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32, then Mikel Merino hammered home a stoppage-time goal to sneak past Portugal in the Round of 16. In the quarterfinals, they gave up their only goal of the entire tournament but still beat Belgium. This team is built different, seriously.France Sent Home: A Dominant Semifinal Performance
Tuesday’s semifinal win against France wasn't even their tightest match, despite France being their toughest opponent yet on paper. Spain grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute with a penalty kick from Mikel Oyarzabal, then Pedro Porro doubled the advantage early in the second half. What followed was a defensive masterclass. Spain's backline weathered a full-on tsunami of French attacks, including 10 shots with three on target. The biggest takeaway? Kylian Mbappé, who had been leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals, was held without a point for the first time all tournament! That’s a huge sign for the final, whether they face Lionel Messi’s Argentina or Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane’s England. This Spain squad is here to win their second World Cup title, their first since 2010. Now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s final at MetLife. Spain, who entered the semifinal with the second-highest odds behind France, will likely be the favorite. Keep an eye on Lamine Yamal. This kid, who just turned 19, is a star at Barcelona and he’s expected to get his seventh start of the tournament. He's only scored one goal so far, but he had one taken back due to an offside call against France. Yamal has the ability to completely change a game at any moment. Will this young phenom deliver a World Cup trophy for Spain in his debut tournament? Sunday can't come soon enough.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.