Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over France in Wednesday’s semifinal, producing a disciplined and clinical performance to end Les Bleus’ title hopes.
Backed by 70,176 fans at Dallas Stadium, the European champions controlled the contest from start to finish, with first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a composed finish from Pedro Porro after the break sealing a deserved win.
The result extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions and keeps alive their dream of completing a remarkable UEFA Euro-World Cup double, a feat last achieved by the country’s celebrated 2010 generation.
The semifinal had been billed as one of the tournament’s biggest matches, with much of the spotlight on France’s star-studded attack led by Kylian Mbappé. Instead, it was Spain who dictated the tempo, dominating possession and leaving Didier Deschamps’ side struggling to create meaningful chances.
Mbappé was kept quiet throughout the game, while Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise were unable to influence proceedings. France managed just two shots before Spain doubled their lead and failed to register a shot on target until deep into stoppage time.
Spain opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne fouled teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area while attempting to clear the ball. Oyarzabal confidently converted the resulting penalty to give his side a deserved lead.
France’s evening became even more difficult when defender William Saliba was forced off with an injury shortly afterwards, disrupting an already unsettled defence.
Spain almost doubled their advantage before halftime through another slick attacking move. Dani Olmo’s clever backheel released Yamal, who squared the ball for Fabián Ruiz, but the midfielder’s effort was brilliantly blocked.
France showed little improvement after the restart and were punished again in the 58th minute. Porro combined neatly with Olmo before surging into the box and calmly finishing to make it 2-0.
Yamal thought he had added a third moments later, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Ferran Torres also missed a good opportunity as Spain continued to threaten on the counterattack.
Deschamps introduced several substitutes in search of a response, but France never looked capable of mounting a comeback. Goalkeeper Unai Simón was finally called into action only in stoppage time, by which stage Spain had long been in complete control.
The defeat brings France’s World Cup campaign to an end and marks the final tournament of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as head coach.
Spain, meanwhile, advance to Sunday’s final, where they will face either England or defending champions Argentina in New York/New Jersey.
The victory also continues Spain’s recent dominance over France, having already knocked them out of the semifinals of Euro 2024 before defeating them again in the UEFA Nations League semifinals in 2025.
