Pakistan, July 16 -- Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas on Tuesday, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with an utterly dominant 2-0 victory that left the tournament's most feared attack gasping for air.

From the opening whistle, the Spaniards wrapped themselves around France like an anaconda, tightening their grip with every wave of pressing and every spell of possession until the life had been squeezed from a French strike force that had looked irresistible throughout the tournament.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro supplied the goals, but the scoreline barely reflected Spain's authority as the European champions monopolised possession, dictated the tempo and denied France's vaunte...