Spain defeated France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup semifinal at Arlington on 15 July, ending Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign as France manager on a bittersweet note and booking a place in Sunday's final at New Jersey. Kylian Mbappe, widely expected to announce himself as the game's undisputed best in the post-Messi-Ronaldo era, was left inconsolable — lifting his shirt over his face and burying his head in his hands at the final whistle.

How Spain Won It

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with an early penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled by Lucas Digne. Pedro Porro then doubled the lead, finishing a slick one-two with Dani Olmo to put the match beyond France's reach. Spain edged the contest for completed passes and, crucially, converted both of their two shots on target — a clinical efficiency France's three attempts could not match.

France's Forwards Come Up Short

France entered the semifinal unbeaten, having conceded just two goals in six matches, and were considered among the tournament's title favourites. But the side that had dictated terms in every previous outing found itself unable to do so against a well-organised Spain. Mbappe, despite an almost impeccable campaign overall, could not unlock the Spanish defence. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele failed to impose himself, Michael Olise — who had led the competition for assists — was barely sighted, and Bradley Barcola managed little beyond an early corner.

Spain's Quiet Strength

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this Spain side is the absence of a single dominant individual. Yamal has attracted the most attention, yet by his own lofty standards has not consistently hit the heights many anticipated. For observers, that is beside the point.

'If I speak about Spain, I don't speak about one star,' said former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 'The team is the star. Even if you have Lamine Yamal, this is not a team dependent on one player. Everything they do is as a team.'

The player who has quietly embodied that ethos most is Oyarzabal. The 29-year-old Real Sociedad forward has scored five goals and provided one assist in the tournament, taking his international tally to 30 goals in 60 appearances. Former France striker Thierry Henry summed him up succinctly: 'He's not your step-over guy, not a nutmeg guy and whatnot, but one thing he truly knows is where the net is. He's been brilliant for a very long time for Spain.'

End of the Deschamps Era

The defeat brings down the curtain on Deschamps' tenure after 14 years in charge. The 57-year-old, who captained France to the 1998 World Cup title and managed the side to a second crown in 2018, will take charge of one final game — a third-place playoff in Miami against the loser of Wednesday's other semifinal between England and Argentina. Henry, reflecting on his former manager, said: 'Nothing changes what Didier means for French people. He is part of the national team's history. There is one game left and we are going to try to win. He deserves that and the fans do too.'

What Comes Next

Spain will now prepare for Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, aiming to add another title to their storied international record. France, meanwhile, face a third-place match that will serve as Deschamps' farewell — and, for Mbappe, an opportunity to salvage some personal consolation from a tournament that was meant to be his coronation.