Spain produced a stunning tactical performance to defeat tournament favorites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, securing their place in the competition's final for only the second time.

France entered the match as strong favorites, boasting a formidable attacking lineup including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, and having navigated the tournament with apparent ease. However, Spain, the reigning European champions, demonstrated why they are also a global powerhouse, extending their own record-equalling unbeaten streak to 37 matches.

Despite flying somewhat under the radar during the tournament, even drawing their opening match against debutants Cape Verde, Spain appeared to hit their peak form at the crucial juncture. Their defensive solidity was once again evident, keeping their seventh clean sheet in eight games. The victory sets them up as strong contenders for Sunday's final, where they will face the winner of the match between Argentina and England.

France, meanwhile, must now prepare for the third-place play-off after being stifled by Spain's midfield control and limited to just three shots on target. The performance has drawn widespread admiration, with former Premier League champion Chris Sutton describing Spain as "silky" and noting they "outfought and outplayed" the French side.

Former England captain Roy Keane, speaking on ITV, highlighted the contrast between the teams, stating, "France were not playing as a team. Brilliant individuals not playing as a team." He praised Spain's collective effort, calling them "absolutely brilliant - an absolute joy to watch."

Luis de la Fuente, appointed Spain boss in December 2022, has silenced critics who questioned his credentials after a career managing Spain's youth and under-23 teams. Previously seen as a low-key appointment compared to his predecessors, de la Fuente has now guided Spain to a Nations League title, Euro 2024 glory, and now the World Cup final, emphatically answering the "Luis de la Who?" sentiment.

Spain's journey to the final has been marked by consistent performance and tactical discipline. Their unbeaten run of 37 matches now equals Italy's record for the longest international football unbeaten streak. Notably, five European players with the most combined appearances in World Cup and European Championship history without a loss all play for Spain, underscoring the team's deep-seated resilience and quality.

The final will be a significant occasion for Spain, potentially leading to a rematch of the European Championship final from two years ago if England emerge victorious from their semi-final tie.