ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ─ In a thrilling semifinal at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, Mikel Oyarzabal shone brightly as he scored from the penalty spot, leading Spain to a prestigious 2-0 victory over France. This victory marks Spain's return to the World Cup final for the first time since their triumph in 2010.
Significantly, the match featured the astounding performance of 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who played a pivotal role in Spain's first goal. Just a day after celebrating his birthday, Yamal showcased his skills, drawing a foul from France's Lucas Digne and earning Spain a penalty kick early in the match. Although Yamal was narrowly denied a goal due to an offside call later in the game, his contributions were essential in placing Spain ahead.
Spain's second goal came shortly after, through a well-executed give-and-go between Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo in the 58th minute, solidifying their lead at 2-0. As a result, Spain will now prepare to face either defending champions Argentina or England in the final match, scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The two teams will compete on Wednesday in Atlanta to determine who will meet Spain in the championship showdown.
The defeat for Kylian Mbappé and the French national team—a team ranked highest in the FIFA rankings—means they will head to the third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida, scheduled for Saturday. This loss is significant, as France aimed to become only the third team in history to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, following their previous appearances in 1998 and 2006.
This victory for Spain adds a remarkable chapter to their recent history against France, marking the third consecutive summer in which they have emerged victorious over their rivals in a tournament's semifinal. Previously, Yamal had already left a mark on the 2024 European Championship semifinal with a goal just days before his 17th birthday, contributing to a 2-1 victory for Spain. Last year, Spain triumphed in a thrilling 5-4 match during the Nations League.
Yamal's confident assertion prior to the match—that France should fear Spain—was substantiated with this impressive win, further establishing his emerging status as a prominent player on the national stage. Oyarzabal's penalty kick, awarded in the 22nd minute, came as Yamal was fouled following an errant touch by Digne. Yamal, with his sharp instincts, challenged for the ball and earned the chance for Spain to strike first.
This penalty marked Oyarzabal's fifth goal of the tournament and was particularly notable as it was the first time either team faced a deficit in their seven matches of the World Cup. His tally now stands at 30 goals in 60 international appearances for Spain, underscoring his importance and consistent performance on the field.
Ultimately, Spain's convincing 2-0 victory speaks volumes about their growth and readiness as they look ahead to the final match of this prestigious tournament, with the hopes of adding another World Cup trophy to their illustrious history.
