Spain comfortably beat France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, advancing to their first final since 2010. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured the victory, with Spain dominating possession and chances throughout the match.
De la Fuente hails 'amazing' generation
Coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team's performance, saying they are peaking at the right time. 'We're so proud. This amazing generation of players has such a great attitude and is a role model for so many different values,' he said. 'Now we have the last step, the toughest one. We'll have to improve and we'll try to do so.'
De la Fuente noted that despite a slow start in the group stage, including a goalless draw with Cape Verde, the team's form has improved steadily. 'Of course we would have loved to win the first game but this is a process and it was all planned for us to reach these key moments in the best shape possible,' he added.
Porro scores and shines
Pedro Porro, the Tottenham right-back, scored Spain's second goal and was a key attacking threat. 'It's a dream come true. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine scoring a goal,' Porro said. 'I'm very happy with the team's attitude from start to finish.' De la Fuente confirmed Porro sustained a muscular issue but it did not prevent him from celebrating.
Lamine Yamal, who was walking gingerly after full-time, is expected to be fit for the final. De la Fuente allayed concerns about the young star's condition.
Mbappé admits France fell short
France captain Kylian Mbappé was blunt in his assessment, saying the team failed to execute their gameplan. 'I don't think we played the match we wanted to play, whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level,' he told French broadcaster M6. 'When you don't do what you're supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don't win.'
Mbappé highlighted France's inability to press Spain high up the pitch, allowing them to control the tempo. 'Our goal was to press them high up the pitch to prevent them from settling into that slow, controlled rhythm, because when it comes to controlling the game they are better than us. We failed to do that,' he said.
Deschamps questions referee
France coach Didier Deschamps, whose 12-year tenure will end after Saturday's third-place playoff, lamented his team's performance. 'We are disappointed of course, the players are deflated. The ambition was there, we are not lacking ambition,' he said. 'We should have been more dangerous on the pitch and made the game more difficult for Spain.'
Deschamps also questioned the officiating of Salvadoran referee Iván Barton, who awarded Spain a penalty for Lucas Digne's foul on Yamal. 'I'll ask a loaded question and I won't answer it: Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final?' he said. Despite invitations to clarify, Deschamps did not elaborate on specific complaints.
What's next
Spain will face either England or Argentina in Sunday's final. France will play the loser of the other semi-final in the third-place match on Saturday in Miami. Mbappé, who has eight goals this tournament, will have a chance to claim the Golden Boot in that match.
