Lamine Yamal did not find the net, but the teenage star's quick thinking proved crucial as Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday to book a place in the final.

Yamal spotted an opportunity when France defender Lucas Digne struggled to clear a loose ball inside his own penalty area. As Digne attempted to kick the ball away without noticing the Spain forward, he struck Yamal's thigh, leading to a penalty that put Spain ahead for good.

The 19-year-old Barcelona winger has scored just once during Spain's run to the World Cup final, but his intelligent play created the breakthrough that helped La Roja secure a showdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday against either defending champion Argentina or England.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had said before the match — played a day after Yamal's 19th birthday — that the youngster contributes much more than goals. Yamal's performance against France highlighted that point.

"This team interprets every moment of the game perfectly," de la Fuente said through a translator after Spain advanced to the final.

Although Yamal earned the penalty, Mikel Oyarzabal took the spot kick and calmly fired it into the top-right corner in the 22nd minute for his tournament-leading fifth goal.

Yamal, who did not speak to reporters after the match, still has only one goal and no assists in the tournament. However, Spain may not have taken a first-half lead against a France side widely considered one of the favourites without his decisive contribution.

"Everyone is moving in the same direction with the same idea and understands what is important," Oyarzabal said. "In the end, everyone gives what they can for the benefit of the team."

Before the semifinal, de la Fuente had suggested Yamal's big scoring moment was approaching.

However, the teenager has consistently said he is more focused on helping the team than on individual statistics. Despite sharing Barcelona's scoring lead with Spain teammate Ferrán Torres last season with 16 goals, Yamal said he never feels pressure to score.

"I play the way I am, and I will never play better or worse than I really am," Yamal said on Monday. "I always give everything for the team, and when you know you've done that, you don't feel pressure."

That attitude paid off in one of the tournament's biggest matches, as Yamal's awareness helped send Spain into the World Cup final.