Spain stunned top-ranked France with a commanding victory to secure their spot in the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup final.
In a thrilling semifinal clash at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Spain outclassed France with a convincing 2-0 win on Wednesday.
By eliminating the heavily favored French side, Spain is now just one step away from clinching their first World Cup title since their triumph in South Africa 16 years ago.
France, despite consistently reaching the semifinals since their 2018 World Cup victory in Russia, has fallen short of the ultimate prize again after finishing as runners-up in Qatar 2022 and now bowing out in the 2026 semifinals.
From the opening whistle, Spain’s tactical prowess was on full display as they controlled the midfield and effectively neutralized France’s potent attack led by superstar Kylian Mbappé.
The Spanish defense swarmed Mbappé whenever he touched the ball, with three to four players marking him tightly. This stifling approach allowed Spain to launch devastating counterattacks that kept France on their heels.
The deadlock was broken early when Mikel Oyarzabal coolly converted a penalty in the 22nd minute, awarded after Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box. This marked Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of the tournament.
France’s woes compounded when William Saliba was forced off with an injury in the 30th minute. The French attack, usually a force to be reckoned with, was completely stymied by Spain’s relentless pressure, failing to register a single shot on target in the first half.
The second half saw little change in momentum. While Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé occasionally showcased their individual brilliance, Spain maintained a firm grip on the game.
Spain doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Dani Olmo’s incisive through ball found Pedro Porro, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
The Spanish side thought they had a third goal in the 61st minute through Yamal, but it was chalked off for offside.
France’s best chance came in the 81st minute when Desiré Doué capitalized on the Spanish goalkeeper’s absence from his line, but his shot was directed straight at the retreating keeper.
Frustration boiled over for Mbappé in the 86th minute when he collided with the goalkeeper, earning a yellow card for his aggressive reaction.
Spain’s masterclass in possession and pressing continued until the final whistle, denying France any opportunity to mount a comeback and securing their place in the final with a comfortable two-goal victory.
France will now face the loser of the England-Argentina semifinal in the third-place playoff on July 18 at 5:00 p.m. (EST), while Spain awaits the winner in the championship match on July 19 at 3:00 p.m. (EST).