Spain book World Cup final place by beating lacklustre France

European champions Spain are into the World Cup final after beating lacklustre France 2-0 in Dallas.

The semi-final showdown between the tournament's two favourites and standout sides had been eagerly anticipated - but France didn't show up.

As bad as France were, Spain demonstrated their all-round strength to book their spot in Sunday's final, where they will face either an England side they beat in the Euro 2024 final or world champions Argentina.

With Kylian Mbappe shackled and Les Bleus' other attackers including Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele blunted, Spain struck in each half. Mikel Oyarzabal slammed in a penalty after Lucas Digne kicked Lamine Yamal as he tried to clear the ball, before Pedro Porro connected with Dani Olmo to slot in the second after a slick move.

• As it happened | Teams | Stats | Knockout bracket
• World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup
• Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App

France had mustered just two shots and none on target when Porro hit the net and they couldn't come up with any Bastille Day fireworks in the final stages to scare Spain. Michael Olise, the World Cup's top creator, was subbed off, summing up how badly their attack had misfired.

A third-place play-off awaits them on Saturday now - an underwhelming end to Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure.

But Spain roll on. They beat France in the semi-finals on their way to their European championship success two summers ago and repeated the trick in the Nations League semi-finals in 2025. This made it three of a kind - and Spain are now unbeaten in their last 37 matches across all competitions, a joint-record for a European nation.

Spain are now primed to repeat the Euros-World Cup double they sealed at the 2010 World Cup. They are going to take some stopping in New York/New Jersey.

The key moments from Dallas...

22: GOAL! Oyarzabal slams in a Spain penalty after Digne kicks Lamine Yamal as he tries to clear the ball out of the France box.

30: INJURY! William Saliba is forced off with injury and is replaced by Maxence Lacroix

38: CLOSE! A brilliant Spain move leads to Dani Olmo backheeling the ball into the box for Lamine Yamal. He crosses rather than shoots and Fabian Ruiz's effort is blocked just wide for a corner.

58: GOAL! Pedro Porro exchanges passes with Dani Olmo and slots in Spain's second.

61: NO GOAL! Lamine Yamal breaks through and hits the net but is narrowly offside.

72: SUB! The ineffective Michael Olise is hooked. He came into the game with five assists in this World Cup but created just two chances and completed neither of his two dribbles.

79: MISS! Ferran Torres sends a great headed chance wide as Spain look for a third.

81: ERROR! Unai Simon rushes out of his area but sends his headed clearance to Desire Doue - but it's a poor effort from the sub who hits his shot at the scrambling keeper.

Rate the players!