Spain became the first team to qualify for the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 2-0 victory over France in their semi-final clash on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured Spain’s place in the tournament’s showpiece match, where they will face either England or Argentina in the final.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after France’s Lucas Digne fouled teenage winger Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area. Porro doubled Spain’s advantage in the second half, finishing off a flowing move orchestrated by Dani Olmo to seal victory.
The reigning European champions dominated possession and neutralised France’s star-studded attack, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise unable to break through a disciplined Spanish defence.
Spain’s victory also marked their sixth clean sheet of the tournament, an unprecedented defensive record in a single FIFA World Cup, underlining the team’s balance at both ends of the pitch.
France entered the match among the favourites but struggled to impose themselves against Luis de la Fuente’s well-drilled side. French coach Didier Deschamps admitted after the game that Spain had been the better team, while midfielder Rayan Cherki acknowledged that Les Bleus were unable to cope with Spain’s control of the match.
The win extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions and moved them one victory away from a second FIFA World Cup title after their triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Spain will now await the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina, while France will contest the third-place playoff.
