Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final with a composed 2-0 victory over France at Dallas Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before Pedro Porro struck after the interval to end France’s title challenge.
La Roja delivered an assured performance on one of the tournament’s biggest nights, controlling important periods of the semi-final and limiting the influence of France captain Kylian Mbappé. The result sends Spain into their first men’s World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010. FIFA’s official match report described Spain as deserved winners.
The opening stages reflected the tension of a major semi-final, with both teams attempting to impose their style without leaving space for the opposition’s dangerous attackers.
France received an early warning when Adrien Rabiot was shown a yellow card in the eighth minute. Spain gradually settled into the contest and began moving the ball with greater confidence through midfield.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute. Spain were awarded a penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the area, giving Oyarzabal the opportunity to put his team ahead. The forward remained calm under pressure and converted the spot kick to make it 1-0.
It was Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of his debut World Cup campaign, underlining his importance to Spain during their run to the final.
France’s problems increased when defender William Saliba was forced off after half an hour. Maxence Lacroix replaced him in an early change to the French back line.
Marc Cucurella was booked in the 31st minute, but Spain protected their advantage through the remainder of the first half and headed into the break with a narrow lead.
France introduced Adrien Rabiot for Manu Koné at half-time as they searched for a route back into the game. Désiré Doué was then replaced by Bradley Barcola in the 57th minute as the French coaching staff looked for more attacking energy.
Instead, Spain struck again just one minute later.
Pedro Porro made it 2-0 in the 58th minute, giving La Roja breathing room and leaving France with a difficult mountain to climb. The defender’s goal rewarded another controlled Spanish attack and moved his country within touching distance of the final.
France responded by introducing Michael Olise and Lucas Digne for Rayan Cherki and Theo Hernández in the 72nd minute. Spain also refreshed their side during the closing stages, bringing on Mikel Oyarzabal’s replacement Ferran Torres before introducing Fabián Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena and Pedro Porro’s late replacement, Marcos Llorente.
Despite the changes, France could not find the goal needed to revive the contest. Mbappé was booked in the 86th minute on a frustrating evening for Les Bleus, whose attacking talent was unable to break down Spain’s disciplined defence.
Spain’s victory was not built solely on their two goals. Their defensive organisation was equally important against a French side packed with pace and individual quality.
La Roja remained compact when possession was lost and prevented France from consistently creating clear chances. Mbappé, Barcola and Olise were unable to produce the decisive moment France needed, while Spain managed the closing stages with maturity.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory in front of 70,176 spectators at Dallas Stadium and sparked celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
Spain will now face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after the defending champions defeated England 2-1 in the other semi-final. It will be Spain’s first appearance in the tournament’s showpiece match since their historic triumph in South Africa 16 years ago. Reuters confirms that France will meet England in the third-place playoff.
For France, attention turns to that bronze-medal match and the end of Didier Deschamps’ long tenure as national-team coach. Les Bleus reached a third consecutive World Cup semi-final, but they were unable to overcome a Spanish team that looked composed, balanced and ready for the biggest stage.
Oyarzabal supplied the opening goal, Porro delivered the decisive second, and Spain now stand just one victory away from becoming world champions for the second time.
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