7M - Pedro Porro Turns from Defender to Destroyer as Spain Outwit France Once More

In an insightful analysis for The Guardian, Spain’s 2-0 World Cup semi-final triumph over France at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is framed around the heroic performance of right-back Pedro Porro, who transformed from a defensive pillar into the game’s decisive attacker.

Tasked primarily with neutralizing Kylian Mbappé and France's formidable frontline, Porro delivered a flawless defensive display before seizing his moment of glory in the 58th minute. Bursting into the penalty area to lock onto a clever layoff from Dani Olmo, the Tottenham Hotspur defender calmly guided the ball past Mike Maignan to double Spain's lead following Mikel Oyarzabal's first-half penalty.

The victory showcased Spain’s total tactical mastery, combining defensive solidity with crisp possession control. The result extended La Roja's remarkable unbeaten streak to 37 matches—equalling Italy's legendary European international record—and booked their place in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.