Spain's juggernaut rolled on to a World Cup final date for the first time since 2010, as they crushed France 2-0 in a semi-final that will be remembered for its one-sided nature. Coach Luis de la Fuente was over the moon, insisting his team is 'peaking at the right time' and ready to take on all comers in Saturday's showpiece match. There was no repeat of their earlier stodgy goalless draw against Cape Verde – instead, Spain stormed their way past a woefully flat French side.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed the deal, with the latter describing his well-taken second as a 'dream come true'. The Tottenham right-back's joy was palpable, and he acknowledged that it was a team effort from start to finish. De la Fuente also confirmed that while Porro had picked up a muscular issue, young Lamine Yamal did not have any serious concerns – despite being seen limping gingerly.
France boss Didier Deschamps, who will conclude his 12-year tenure with the team in Miami's third-place play-off on Saturday, looked a broken man after the game. His players were 'deflated', he admitted, and they'd failed to perform at their technical and physical best. But rather than laying blame on the pitch, Deschamps reserved some of his ire for El Salvadorean referee Iván Barton – although he stopped short of making any specific accusations.
Deschamps' hint that Barton might not have been 'up to the task' is sure to spark debate, but one thing's certain: Spain will be in the final regardless. And they're ready for whatever England or Argentina throw their way, with De la Fuente confident his squad has got it all – and then some. He called the final the 'toughest step' yet, but was adamant that this 'amazing generation of players' is more than up to the challenge.