Spain advanced to the World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France in Arlington, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro securing their passage to New York. Manager Luis de la Fuente declared his squad "feeling unbeatable" after dismantling the pre-tournament favourites in a dominant tactical display that left the French searching for answers throughout the contest.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before Porro added a second after the interval, capping a clinical performance that has become the hallmark of La Roja's campaign. De la Fuente praised his players' execution and consistency, noting that Spain have made difficult moments look effortless. "They faced the best team in the world," he told reporters. "We have that edge. These players deserve everything because day after day, they demonstrate their commitment, their generosity, their solidarity, and their talent."
Historic Unbeaten Run Extended
The triumph over France marked Spain's third consecutive tournament victory against their continental rivals, following their Euro 2024 triumph and Nations League success last year. More significantly, the result extended La Roja's unbeaten run to 37 consecutive matches, equalling Italy's all-time European record set between 2018 and 2021. This achievement reflects a remarkable turnaround from Spain's laboured 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening group match.
De la Fuente emphasised that his team's journey has followed a deliberate pattern. "We knew we had to improve little by little," the manager explained. "We would have loved to win the first game but it's a process. It was planned for us to reach the key moments in the best shape possible." Clinical victories over Portugal and Belgium in the knockout stages demonstrated Spain's ability to peak at precisely the right moment in the tournament.
Final Opponent Awaits
Spain will face either England or Argentina in Sunday's final in New York. A meeting with the Albiceleste would pit Europe's continental champions against the reigning world champions, while an encounter with England would represent a rematch of the Euro 2024 final. When asked about his preference, De la Fuente remained diplomatic, expressing personal fondness for both possibilities while maintaining he would welcome either opponent. With La Roja firmly established as heavy favourites and demonstrating peak form, Spanish football fans now await the final showdown on the global stage.
