Didier Deschamps’s men were hot favourites for the trophy after a string of breathtaking displays in the United States, but they met their match against the slick European champions at the semifinal stage on Tuesday.
The game at Dallas Stadium caught fire midway through the first half when Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton pointed to the penalty spot after a reckless challenge by France left-back Lucas Digne on Spain winger Lamine Yamal.
Oyarzabal hammered the ball past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the World Cup to leave France trailing for the first time in the tournament.
France suffered another blow when centre-back William Saliba had to leave the pitch after a recurrence of his lower back injury, and was replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. France finished the half without a single shot on target and just two attempts overall.
Deschamps threw on Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola in the 57th minute in a bid to supercharge his attack, but a minute later, they were 2-0 down after a stunning team goal for Luis de la Fuente’s men after defender Porro delivered a sharp pass to the feet of Dani Olmo on the edge of the box and collected the return ball before coolly slotting past Maignan.
France tried everything they could but were unable to find a way back into the game against solid opponents who refused to yield.
Spain appear to have hit peak form at the right time and, having kept a clean sheet in six of their seven games, can expect to be favourites for Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will face either Argentina or England.
