Who 'came alive' in the semi-final? France v Spain player ratings

• Published 6 minutes ago

Spain dominated France in Dallas to win 2-0 and reach their first World Cup final since 2010, and will face either England or Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.

's Neil Johnston assesses how the players performed on Tuesday - and you can see how readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.

France starting XI

Mike Maignan: Guessed the right way for Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty but beaten for pace and power. Also guilty of some poor distribution. 5

Jules Kounde: Struggled at times with his passing. France have looked so solid at the back at this World Cup but they came undone in what some might say was their first serious test. 5

Dayot Upamecano: Has been huge for France in the USA and made a significant block to deny Fabian Ruiz at 1-0. However, it was all to no avail. 5

William Saliba: The Arsenal centre-half went off injured with no-one around him after Spain had scored. A desperately sad end to his World Cup as France failed to respond after falling behind for the first time at the tournament. 6

Lucas Digne: Conceded the penalty from which Spain took the lead after kicking Lamine Yamal. 5

Aurelien Tchouameni: Has played a key part in France's run to the semi-final but this was a game to forget as Les Bleus were bullied by Spain in midfield. 5

Adrien Rabiot: Lucky to stay on the pitch after fouling Ruiz having already been booked for an early challenge on Dani Olmo. Replaced at the start of the second half. 4

Ousmane Dembele: The Ballon d'Or winner was unable to impose himself as Spain bossed the game. 4

Michael Olise: Has lit up this World Cup with his assists but chose the semi-final to have his poorest performance and was lucky not to get booked for a late first half foul on Rodri. 5

Bradley Barcola: One early run into the box which won a corner after he skipped past Pedro Porro. Not a lot else. 5

Kylian Mbappe: Has set this World Cup alight with his finishing - but not this game. Had just two touches in Spain's penalty area in the first half and struggled to cause much of a threat. 5

Substitutes

Maxence Lacroix (30 mins): Brought on after France lost Saliba to injury. 5

Manu Kone (46 mins): Sent on to try to rescue France but unable to impose himself. 4

Desire Doue (57 mins): Departs the World Cup with two goal involvements. Brought on to shake things up but could not inspire his team. 4

Rayan Cherki (72 mins): Ends his World Cup campaign without making a start. 4

Theo Hernandez (72 mins): Came on with Spain already well on top at 2-0 up. 4

Spain starting XI

Unai Simon: A sixth clean sheet in seven matches. Came rushing of out his box to make one vital clearance before Mbappe could pounce. 7

Pedro Porro: Scored a wonderful goal to send his country to their first World Cup final since 2010. Now has three goal involvements at this tournament. 7

Pau Cubarsi: A commanding presence at the heart of the defence as Mbappe, Dembele, Olise and Co failed to ignite. 7

Aymeric Laporte: What a performance. Cool and composed on the few occasions he found himself under pressure and ended the match with a passing accuracy of more than 90%. 8

Marc Cucurella: Booked for two fouls in quick succession on Olise. 6

Rodri: Outstanding performance by the Spain captain as France were suffocated and the midfield dominated their opponents from start to finish. 9

Fabian Ruiz: Should have made it 2-0 but was denied by a goal-saving block by Upamecano. 7

Lamine Yamal: Has struggled to turn on the style at this World Cup but the 19-year-old came alive in the semi-final and won the penalty from which Spain scored. He then had a goal ruled out for offside. 8

Dani Olmo: Showed some class touches and proved a real nuisance. 7

Alex Baena: Wasted an early free-kick when he fired tamely into the French wall from 20 yards. 6

Mikel Oyarzabal: Scored his fifth goal of what is turning out to be a memorable World Cup for him. A cool finish from the spot after a delay between the penalty being awarded and taken. 7

Substitutes

Ferran Torres (74 mins): Brought on to get Spain over the line - and into the World Cup final. 6

Mikel Merino (78 mins): Worked hard and produced some good touches. 6

Pedri (78 mins): Ensured France were limited to a handful of chances in the closing stages. 6

Marcos Llorente (84 mins): Didn't have many touches. 5

Nico Williams (84 mins): Did what was needed in the closing minutes. 5

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Starting XI

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Related topics

• France
• Spain
• FIFA World Cup 2026
• Football