​ARLINGTON, Texas — Amid the celebrations following the 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinals Tuesday, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente needed to take a call.The king was on the phone.”It’s such a source of pride that our king called us,” de la Fuente said. “He shows such an interest, and he keeps supporting us.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom Barcelona, King Felipe VI got through to de la Fuente because, well, he’s the king. (He watched the match with his family while wearing a Spain jersey.) And his message was probably what most of Spain’s 48 million citizens also wanted to share with the team: Bravo.In a match featuring European soccer royalty at AT&T Stadium, Spain was magisterial. With all systems clicking — high pressure, smothering defense, elegant passing and general control — La Roja ousted Les Bleus and advanced to the final for the first time since winning its only world title 16 years ago in South Africa.The goals came early in each half; the execution of de la Fuente’s plans came from start to finish.”We’re so proud of this,” said de la Fuente, who oversaw the 2024 European Championship title and will carry a 37-game unbeaten streak into the final. “We are responsible for this joy people are feeling in the streets. … We are a country united for a common cause. So let’s enjoy this. We have one more step, the last one, the toughest one.”After spanning North America the past five weeks, Spain has one last stop: MetLife Stadium on Sunday to face reigning champion Argentina or England.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe way they’ve performed — growing in each of six victories following a scoreless draw with Cape Verde in the opener and conceding just one measly goal overall — the Spaniards will go into the final as favorites.”You can’t even dream about these things … being in a final,” said forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who converted a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. “There’s just one more step to go. … We’re making history, and we just want to go one more step forward. New York, New York.”East Rutherford, New Jersey, actually. But point well taken, señor.Pedro Porro, the right back, added the second goal in the 58th minute on a clinical combination with forward Dani Olmo.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpain’s tactics left France with almost no hope of doing what it did in the World Cup final four years ago in Qatar — coming back from a two-goal deficit to force extra time against Argentina, which ended up winning in a shootout.”Spanish teams know how to defend and master their game very well,” French coach Didier Deschamps said. “We need to accept this loss. Congratulations to the Spanish team. This is what elite football is about.”Kylian Mbappé and France rarely found space against a Spanish side that has become the World Cup’s most complete team.(Hector Vivas – FIFA via Getty Images)A French team that recorded 16 goals in six matches, led by superstar Kylian Mbappé and tourname