07/14/26 02:59:00
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07/14 14:58 CDT Spain takes 1-0 halftime lead over France on Oyarzabal penalty
in World Cup semifinals
Spain takes 1-0 halftime lead over France on Oyarzabal penalty in World Cup
semifinals
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) --- Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the
22nd minute after Spain teenager Lamine Yamal drew a foul with a heady play as
Spain took a 1-0 lead over France at halftime on Tuesday in the World Cup
semifinals.
France defender Lucas Digne was trying to collect the ball after an awkward
bounce when Yamal, a day after his 19th birthday, raced in from behind to
challenge in the penalty area. Yamal was kicked as Digne tried to clear the
ball.
Oyarzabal's fifth goal of this year's World Cup marked the first time either
team has trailed in their seven games in this tournament.
It was only the third goal allowed by France, FIFA's top-ranked team. Spain has
allowed only one.
The winner will play either defending champion Argentina or England in the
final on Sunday.
When trailing at halftime in World Cup games, France has one draw and 11 losses.
Spain is in its first semifinal match since winning its only World Cup in 2010.
France is trying to get to its third consecutive final, after winning in 2018
and losing in a penalty shootout to Argentina four years ago.
Spain also had a free kick from just beyond the area after Adrien Rabiot drew a
yellow card for a foul on Dani Olmo in the eighth minute. Alex Baena's kick
went directly into the wall of French players.
Kylian Mbapp was in France's starting lineup after the striker exited in the
77th minute of the team's quarterfinal win over Morocco.
Mbapp scored his eighth goal against Morocco and entered the semifinals even
with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. The
39-year-old Messi has a World Cup-record 21 goals in his career, one more than
the 27-year-old Mbapp.
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