It was a night of high drama and Spanish flair as Luis de La Fuente's men stunned the tournament favourites, France, with a resounding 2-0 victory in their semi-final showdown. The Iberians' attacking prowess proved too much for Didier Deschamps' team, who were left reeling after Mikel Oyarzabal's clinical penalty and Pedro Porro's late killer blow sealed their fate.
France's usually reliable Lucas Digne was the culprit behind the opening goal, conceding a spot-kick after what looked like a marginal foul on Lamine Yamal. While the question mark over the legitimacy of the award hung in the air, Oyarzabal remained focused and slotted past Mike Maignan with ease, handing Spain a crucial lead that they never relinquished.
For much of the match, Kylian Mbappé was an isolated figure on the French left flank, effectively nullified by a Spanish defence and midfield that dictated the tempo after taking the lead. Any attempts to find their rhythm were consistently thwarted, with Spain's control in midfield proving superior as they looked every inch a team on a mission.
Porro sealed the deal with a well-worked second goal that effectively extinguished any French hopes of a comeback. The goal capped a dominant performance from de La Fuente's side, who maintained their starting XI that saw them dispatch Belgium in the previous round. France, meanwhile, made changes including the return of Aurélien Tchouaméni to midfield and Bradley Barcola's inclusion over Désiré Doué, but these adjustments failed to spark their attacking spark.
The victory marks a significant statement from Spain, who will now be considered strong contenders for the World Cup trophy. For France, it's a bitter disappointment, with their vaunted attack failing to deliver on the biggest stage – and Kylian Mbappé will have to wait another four years for a chance to lift that elusive trophy.