Spain produced an implicit masterclass successful power to unafraid their spot successful conscionable their 2nd World Cup last - leaving the remainder of the satellite stunned astatine however France were blown away.
Les Bleus went into Tuesday's eagerly anticipated semi-final arsenic overwhelming favourites having cruised done the tournament, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise making them an attacking unit to beryllium feared.
But portion galore were questioning however France could beryllium beaten, Spain reminded everyone wherefore they are European champions and unbeaten successful a record-equalling 37 matches by moving retired 2-0 winners.
Luis de la Fuente's men person alternatively flown nether the radar astatine this World Cup - adjacent failing to bushed debutants Cape Verde successful their opening match - and teenage superstar Lamine Yamal has scored conscionable 1 goal.
But they look to person deed highest signifier astatine the close clip and, having kept a cleanable expanse successful six of their 7 games, tin expect to beryllium favourites for Sunday's World Cup final, wherever they volition look either Argentina oregon England.
France, meanwhile, indispensable hole for the third-place play-off aft being frustrated by a midfield masterclass and managing conscionable 3 attempts connected target.
"Spain scalped France - they flattened France," said erstwhile Premier League champion Chris Sutton, who was astatine the crippled for BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We person fixed France truthful overmuch praise successful this tournament, but they were swatted speech by silky Spain. In the main, Spain person outfought and outplayed this French team."
Roy Keane - different Premier League victor - said connected ITV: "France were not playing arsenic a team. Brilliant individuals not playing arsenic a team.
"Spain person been perfectly superb - an implicit joyousness to watch."
When De la Fuente was appointed Spain brag successful December 2022, immoderate referred to him as: "Luis de la Who?"
Spain - satellite champions nether Vicente del Bosque successful 2010 - are utilized to being led by high-profile personalities, and de la Fuente was viewed arsenic a low-key federation assignment aft his clip successful complaint of the nation's under-19s, under-21s and under-23s.
But the 65-year-old has fixed an emphatic effect to the doubters.
Having led Spain to a Nations League triumph successful 2023 and Euro 2024 glory, helium has present guided them to the World Cup final.
If England triumph successful Atlanta connected Wednesday, they volition acceptable up a repetition of the European Championship last of 2 years ago.
English (US)·