French fans in Paris shrugged and left bars early as their hopes of a third World Cup trophy were quashed by Spain, who crushed Les Bleus 2-0 in the competition's semi-final match on Tuesday (July 14).

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 a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

Watching the duel from bars and cafes in the French capital, fans gasped and covered their eyes with their hands after missed opportunities by their home team, and as Spain inched closer to victory.

"This is really the first match against a big team, and we really wanted to see what this France team was capable of. We scored not even one goal," Parisian Jean-Claude Dassiba said.

European champions Spain are now within one victory of completing a double of the game’s biggest prizes. They will discover their final opponents on Wednesday (July 15) when England face Argentina in Atlanta for a place in Sunday’s (July 19) showpiece.

France must prepare for an anticlimactic third-place match after a chastening Bastille Day loss.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS OF FANS REACTING TO SPAIN TAKING AN ADVANTAGE IN WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL

2. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 29-YEAR-OLD RESEARCHER, MARIE CEFFREY, SAYING:

“It’s terrible. I mean… But really, we’re very proud of them, we had great matches, and that’s what’s important. We’re counting the victories instead of the losses, voila.”

3. FANS REACTING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 29-YEAR-OLD RESEARCHER, MARIE CEFFREY, SAYING:

“We’ll just win the next World Cup, and that’s all.”

(SOUNDBITE) (French) 29-YEAR-OLD CONSULTANT, EDOUARD TOULEMONDE, SAYING:

“We still have a very good team. Unfortunately… voila. We played a good match against Morocco, we had a more difficult one with Spain. Unfortunately, we were expecting more, it’s a bit disappointing, but we’ll stay optimistic for the next ones. Let’s go, Les Bleus.”

5. VARIOUS OF FANS OUTSIDE BAR REACTING TO MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRANCE

6. FANS OUTSIDE BAR, ONE CLAPPING AND ANOTHER RAISING FRENCH FLAG

7. CROWD OF FANS WATCHING MATCH AT BAR FROM SIDEWALK

8. FANS REACTING DURING MATCH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 38-YEAR-OLD PARISIAN, JEAN-CLAUDE DASSIBA, SAYING:

“It’s unfortunately sad, but oh well. I think it was a bit expected. I think the Spain team was collectively better. France relied a lot on the individual skills of the players, and unfortunately, it didn’t pay off, and it’s a shame, because this is the last World Cup of (France coach Didier) Deschamps. Oh well, now we’ll have to think about what comes next.”

10. FANS LEAVING BAR AFTER MATCH, ONE SHRUGGING

11. VARIOUS OF FANS OUTSIDE BAR AFTER MATCH

12. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 38-YEAR-OLD PARISIAN, JEAN-CLAUDE DASSIBA, SAYING:

“It’s impressive (France’s World Cup run), it’s true, but we played only with what I call second-tier teams. This is really the first match against a big team, and we really wanted to see what this France team was capable of. We scored not even one goal, so of course, we’re disappointed. But that’s how it is.”

13. VARIOUS OF FANS WATCHING END OF MATCH AT OUTDOOR CAFE TABLES

14. FANS LEAVING TABLE AFTER MATCH

15. (SOUNDBITE) (French) 29-YEAR-OLD LAWYER, EVA DURAND, SAYING:

“Of course, I’m sad, I think we really need a victory at this time. I’m not a football expert, but I don’t have the impression that we were excellent tonight, so I’m a bit disappointed. But hey, they still played well until now, so we’ll remember the best parts.”

16. FANS ON SIDEWALK OUTSIDE BAR

17. OUTDOOR TABLES OF BAR EMPTYING AFTER MATCH

18. POLICE WALKING OUTSIDE BAR

19. FANS WEARING FRENCH FLAGS ON STREET

20. BARS EMPTYING AFTER MATCH