Tuesday's first World Cup semi-final was billed as a potential shootout, but Spain's team ethic dominated France's brilliant individuals.
La Roja reached their second-ever final with a 2-0 win courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal's 22nd-minute penalty and Pedro Porro's second-half effort following a neat give-and-go with Dani Olmo.
Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and others struggled to make an impact and Les Bleus' luck seemed to be out all night, with key central defender William Saliba having to go off inside the first half-hour.
Luis de la Fuente's European champions now await the winner of Wednesday's second semi-final between Argentina and England.
They can do so in the knowledge that they are unbeaten in 37 matches - the longest in international football history - and are a team entirely in sync.
Dominant display in Dallas
La Roja had 50.9 per cent of the ball in a game where both teams registered 10 shots on target.
France even won the attempts on target count 3-2, yet the Spaniards dominated in Dallas.
Les Bleus' xG figure of 0.3 was the lowest in a World Cup semi-final since 1994 and De la Fuente's team are the first to keep six clean sheets at a single World Cup.
Critics may argue that this has been made possible by the additional game and diluted standard of the expanded tournament, but to concede only once in seven internationals is still something to be admired.
That number also attests to Spain's cohesion, reflecting the unity and confidence within the camp.
A campaign built on defensive excellence
Drawing 0-0 with debutants Cape Verde in their opening Group H game may have sent some nations into panic.
Tunisia sacked their coach following a humiliating opening 5-1 Group F defeat to Sweden, but La Roja kept their cool and De la Fuente dialled into the numbers.
His team had 74.3 per cent of the ball and 27 shots, yet were frustrated by an inspired performance from goalkeeper Vozinha.
The European champions have since built momentum through the tournament, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 2-0 to top their pool, before outclassing Austria 3-0 in the last 32.
Mikel Merino's late goal settled a 1-0 last-16 win over Portugal, a game Spain dominated, and the Arsenal midfielder was again the hero in the quarter-finals when he emerged off the bench to score the winner in a 2-1 victory against Belgium, after Charles de Ketelaere had cancelled out Fabian Ruiz's opener.
De Ketelaere is the only player to score past Unai Simon at the tournament and all this is with Lamine Yamal still to produce his best form.
Winning is a habit
Yamal arrived in North America nursing a hamstring injury and has had his minutes managed.
The teenager has played the full 90 minutes in his team's last three games, has never lost a game for Spain and has won all 12 of his starts at World Cups and European Championships.
That is a theme throughout the squad, with Aymeric Laporte (22), Oyarzabal (20), Ruiz (16), Merino (14) and Yamal (14) the five European players with the most appearances without losing a match at either a World Cup or Euros.
La Roja have an extra day off to relax ahead of Sunday's final and appear to have little to worry about as they aim to become world champions for the second time.
