Spain's anaconda grip crushes French World Cup dream

Spain suffocated France with a dominant 2-0 victory, securing their first World Cup final appearance since 2010. From the outset, Spain's relentless pressing and possession stifled France's formidable attack, leaving them gasping for air.

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A dream come true … to be honest, I never even imagined anything like this, not even in my wildest dreams.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals, but the scoreline understated Spain's complete authority. The European champions controlled possession, dictated the tempo, and offered France's star forwards no platform to attack. "A dream come true... not even in my wildest dreams," said Porro. "We did everything right against a team that was having a brilliant World Cup."

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We did everything right against a team that was having a brilliant World Cup.

Spain is now one win away from a World Cup-European Championship double. They will face either England or Argentina in the final. France, meanwhile, faces a third-place playoff after their World Cup hopes were extinguished. "Technically, we were second best," admitted coach Didier Deschamps. "We lacked technical precision and energy. The Spanish are very good at breaking up moves."

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The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best.

Spain played with the fluency of an elite club side, their movement and passing telepathic. France, reduced to spectators, managed only two shots on target. "One of the key factors that got us into the final was keeping possession of the ball," Porro added. "It's a victory for an incredible team, a group of spectacular players."

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We lacked technical precision and energy. The Spanish are very good at breaking up moves by reading interceptions and passes. We would have liked to cause them more problems going forward.