Spain are going to a World Cup final. For the third consecutive major tournament they have beaten France in the knockout stages, and this time it was not close. A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 20th minute and a cool finish from Pedro Porro after the hour mark gave Luis de la Fuente's side a 2-0 win at AT&T Stadium in Dallas that was comfortable from start to finish. France, the pre-tournament favourites with the most individual attacking talent of any squad in the competition, were restricted to just 0.3 expected goals from ten shots. By any measure, Spain were in a different class.
The penalty came from a moment of Lamine Yamal brilliance that France simply could not handle. He drove inside from the right, drew a foul from Lucas Digne — who caught his ankle as Yamal cut past him — and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Oyarzabal stepped up and rolled it into the bottom corner with the composure he has shown throughout his career. For a player who missed the Euro 2024 semi-final through injury only to return and score the winning goal in the final, there is something fitting about his continued knack for big moments.
Porro's Killer Second Puts the Game to Bed
France's hopes of a response were effectively ended when Pedro Porro made it two on 58 minutes. The Tottenham right back — one of the most underrated performers of Spain's entire World Cup campaign — picked up a give-and-go exchange with Dani Olmo just inside the area and side-footed past Mike Maignan with his left foot. It was a goal built on clarity and trust. Porro knew exactly where his teammates would be, Olmo knew exactly where to play it, and Maignan had no chance. That is what Spain have been throughout this tournament: a team that makes the game look simple because they know their roles inside out.
Kylian Mbappe had one moment of danger in the first half when he slipped in behind the right back, but Unai Simon — who has now kept six clean sheets in this World Cup, setting a new tournament record — read the angle correctly and smothered. After that, France were chasing the game without ever truly threatening to find a way back into it. Didier Deschamps shuffled his attacking options in the second half but none of it worked. Spain's defensive shape, built around Laporte and Le Normand, refused to be dragged out of position.
Yamal and Spain's Third Summer Triumph Over France
This is the third time in successive summers that Spain have knocked France out of a major tournament. Euro 2024, Nations League, now the World Cup. Whatever France try — whether they go with Mbappe wide or through the middle, with Olise or Doue or Dembele on the flanks — Spain find an answer. Part of that is tactical, part of it is that Spain's squad depth is real. Every sub who came on in this semifinal looked like a player who belonged at this level. Yamal's presence was again decisive without requiring him to score. His six appearances at this tournament now make him the most experienced player aged 18 or under in World Cup history. He turns 19 tomorrow. Spain are in the final.
What This Means for the Final
Spain head to New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday to face the winner of tonight's England vs Argentina semi-final in Atlanta. Whichever side emerges from that game will face a Spain team that has not conceded in the knockout rounds, has won every match with something to spare, and has a teenager who seems to get more dangerous with every passing game. There is still an argument to be made for Argentina's experience and England's momentum — but Spain are the clear favourites, and this semi-final performance made it obvious why.
Match facts: France 0-2 Spain | 2026 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final | AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas | July 14, 2026 | Goals: Mikel Oyarzabal (pen, 20'), Pedro Porro (58') | Unai Simon: 6 clean sheets at the tournament (World Cup record)
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