Spain secured its place in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010, defeating France 2-0 in a semifinal match. The victory was highlighted by a penalty converted by Mikel Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Porro. This performance marks a significant turnaround from Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde in the group stage.
The match’s opening goal came approximately 20 minutes into the first half, following a controversial penalty decision involving Lamine Yamal. Yamal went down in the box after a challenge from Lucas Digne. The play originated from a cross by Marc Cucurella, with Digne attempting to clear the ball. Yamal stepped in front of Digne, taking the force of the clearance, which led to the penalty call.
French players strongly contested the decision, advocating for a VAR review. They pointed to replays that suggested the ball might have grazed Yamal’s hand during the buildup to the foul. Despite these appeals, VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the on-field decision, allowing the penalty to stand. Oyarzabal then successfully converted the penalty, giving Spain an early lead.
The penalty decision generated considerable discussion among fans watching the match. Many expressed their disagreement with the ruling, questioning the officiating and suggesting a handball by Yamal prior to the foul. Comments from fans indicated a belief that Yamal’s hand had made contact with the ball, which, if true, would typically negate the penalty. However, some argued that Yamal’s arm was tucked close to his body, which often results in no infringement being called.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, expressed pride in his team’s performance and their progression to the final. He noted that the team is peaking at an opportune moment, emphasizing the players’ attitude and unity. De la Fuente also addressed concerns about Yamal’s condition after the game, stating that the player was walking gingerly but did not indicate a serious issue. However, he confirmed that Porro sustained a muscular injury.
Porro, a right-back for Tottenham, celebrated his goal, describing it as a dream come true. He highlighted his happiness with the team’s collective effort throughout the match, stating that they played a strong game and did everything necessary to advance.
On the French side, coach Didier Deschamps conveyed his disappointment with his team’s performance, describing it as flat. He acknowledged that the team lacked the desired level of danger on the field and did not make the game sufficiently difficult for Spain. Deschamps also suggested that his team was not operating at 100% of their technical and physical capabilities during the match.
Deschamps’ 12-year tenure as France’s coach will conclude with the third-place game in Miami. He also made a veiled criticism of the referee, Iván Barton, questioning his suitability for officiating a World Cup semifinal. Barton had awarded Spain the penalty and issued two bookings to French players. Deschamps, however, did not provide specific details regarding his complaint, despite being prompted to clarify.
De la Fuente mentioned that the team’s current strong form was part of a plan to reach the key moments of the tournament in optimal condition, despite not winning their first game. Spain will now prepare for the final against either England or Argentina.
Source: sports.yahoo.com