​ARLINGTON – Spain is moving further away from “fury” and closer to composure. Once nicknamed the “Red Fury” – back when the team was not accustomed to rubbing shoulders with the global football elite – the Spanish national team delivered a true masterclass in tactics and ball control to advance to the World Cup final.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnder the watchful eyes of the champions who delivered Spain’s only title in South Africa in 2010, the team triumphed 2–0 over tournament favorite France on Tuesday. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro added a goal in the 58th, putting the team just one step away from a second crown. The decisive match is scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., against the winner of Wednesday’s game between Argentina and England in Atlanta.ARGENTINA VS. ENGLAND: A new chapter in old rivalryFormer goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defenders Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, and midfielder Xavi – heroes of that South Africa campaign – must have been delighted by the footballing display and ball control shown by their successors in the “La Roja” squad.The tactical setup devised by coach Luis de la Fuente completely stifled the dangerous French attackers. Starved of clear service from midfield, they were left looking like children with no presents on their birthdays.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”It’s hard to describe the feeling right now, but I imagine it must be something akin to happiness. I feel pride in managing such an exceptional group of players. We still want to keep improving; there is one more step to take. We are going to try to achieve it,” de la Fuente said.Spain’s pressing game at times suffocated the 2022 World Cup runners-up, who rarely found a good outlet for the ball. Michael Olise – the key playmaker who had made the difference leading up to the semifinal – barely managed to get into the game. Kylian Mbappé – with eight goals, one of the tournament’s top scorers alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi – and Ousmane Dembélé found themselves even more isolated.Mbappé, 27, ended the tournament one goal shy of the Argentine captain’s record of 21 in World Cup history.In a first half featuring few dangerous chances, left back Lucas Digne made a clumsy attempt to clear the ball inside his own penalty area just as young forward Lamine Yamal charged in from the right flank to meet it. Salvadoran referee Iván Barton awarded a penalty, and Oyarzabal struck a powerful, confident left-footed shot past goalkeeper Mike Maignan to open the scoring.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpain’s dominance grew in the second half. Although the final possession statistics were relatively close – 51% for Spain and 49% for France – the real difference was in what the teams did with the ball: The reigning European champions completed 487 passes compared with France’s 408.Rodri, who had delivered excellent performances throughout the tournament, once