Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes his side have reached top form at the perfect moment after a commanding 2-0 win over France secured their place in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010.
Spain controlled the semi-final from start to finish. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro capped an impressive team move with the second goal. The performance marked another statement from the European champions, who drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in the group stage before gathering momentum throughout the tournament.
“We’re so proud,” De la Fuente said after the victory.
“This amazing generation of players has such a great attitude and is a role model for so many different values. We are united for a common cause. Now we have the last step, the toughest one.”
The Spain coach insisted his team’s gradual improvement had followed a clear plan.
“Of course we would have loved to win the first game but this is a process and it was all planned for us to reach these key moments in the best shape possible,” he said.
“Now we are in great shape, the players are very excited and we have reached a peak after this long season.”
De la Fuente also eased fears over Lamine Yamal after the teenager appeared uncomfortable at full-time. However, he confirmed Porro suffered a muscular problem despite producing one of the best displays of his international career.
“It’s a dream come true,” Porro said. “Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine scoring a goal.”
France captain Kylian Mbappe admitted Spain deserved their victory after exposing his side’s weaknesses.
“I don’t think we played the match we wanted to play,” Mbappe said.
“Our goal was to press them high up the pitch. We failed to do that.”
The France forward also admitted Spain dominated midfield.
“Against Spain that’s a real problem,” he said. “When you put it all together, the result is a defeat.”
France coach Didier Deschamps accepted his team fell below their usual standards but questioned whether referee Ivan Barton was at the required level for a World Cup semi-final.
“The players are deflated,” Deschamps said.
“We should have been 100% at our technical level as well as our physical level. We were not at 100% today unfortunately.”
Spain will now face either England or Argentina in Saturday’s World Cup final, chasing a second world title after lifting the trophy in South Africa 16 years ago.
