Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro score as La Roja outclass Les Bleus to set up a title showdown against either England or Argentina.
ASAL POST | WORLD CUP 2026 | July 12, 2026
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final after producing a composed and dominant performance to defeat France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro ensured Luis de la Fuente’s side maintained their impressive unbeaten run at the tournament and moved within one victory of lifting the World Cup for the second time in the nation’s history.
Spain broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after teenage winger Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the penalty area by French defender Lucas Digne. Referee Iván Barton pointed to the spot, and Oyarzabal calmly sent goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to give La Roja a deserved lead.
The goal was Oyarzabal’s fifth of the tournament and the first time France had found themselves trailing during their World Cup campaign.
France attempted to respond through captain Kylian Mbappé, but Spain’s disciplined defence and well-organised midfield prevented Les Bleus from creating clear-cut scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Unai Simón remained alert whenever called upon, while Spain continued to control possession and dictate the tempo.
La Roja doubled their advantage in the 58th minute with one of the best team moves of the match. Midfielder Dani Olmo combined brilliantly with Pedro Porro, who finished clinically into the bottom corner to leave France facing an uphill battle.
Didier Deschamps introduced fresh attacking options, including Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki, in search of a comeback, but Spain’s defence stood firm. Defender Marc Cucurella produced a crucial challenge to deny Mbappé, while Simón swept up danger confidently as France struggled to break through.
Following the final whistle, FIFA praised Spain’s display, describing La Roja as deserved winners after frustrating France defensively and taking their chances in attack.
Spain will now face the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between England and Argentina in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, where they will bid to win their second world title after their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010.
France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final came to an end with the defeat. Les Bleus will now turn their attention to Saturday’s third-place playoff, where they will face the loser of the England-Argentina semi-final.
With confidence growing and momentum firmly on their side, Spain now stand just one victory away from being crowned world champions once again.
