2026 FIFA World Cup Semi Finals
France 0 Spain 2
New Jersey, USA: European champions Spain produced a disciplined display to defeat France 2-0 on Tuesday night, booking their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa 16 years ago.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro proved enough to eliminate Didier Deschamps’ side and end France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
Spain made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute after teenage sensation Lamine Yamal won a penalty when he was brought down inside the box by Lucas Digne. Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot to register his fifth goal of the tournament and give La Roja a deserved lead.
The goal marked the first time either Spain or France had trailed in the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the significance of the breakthrough in a tightly contested semifinal.
France attempted to respond after the interval but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Spanish defence that has emerged as one of the tournament’s strongest.
Spain doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Pedro Porro finished clinically past goalkeeper Mike Maignan, putting the match beyond the reach of the 2018 world champions.
The victory means Spain have now conceded just one goal in seven matches, underlining the defensive solidity that has complemented their attacking quality throughout the tournament.
For France, the defeat brings to an end an impressive run that saw them win the World Cup in 2018 before finishing runners-up to Argentina in 2022. It also denied Deschamps’ men the opportunity to become only the second nation after Germany to reach three consecutive World Cup finals in the modern era.
Captain Kylian Mbappé, who entered the match level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot, was unable to inspire a comeback as Spain’s defence kept the French attack largely under control.
Spain will now await the winner of Wednesday’s second semifinal between defending champions Argentina and England, scheduled to kick off at 10:00 p.m. East African Time.
The eagerly anticipated clash pits Lionel Messi’s Argentina against an England side led by captain Harry Kane and midfield star Jude Bellingham, with a place in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at stake.
Argentina are seeking to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago and will once again look to Messi, who has scored eight goals at this tournament and extended his all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record to 21 career goals.
England, meanwhile, are chasing a place in their first World Cup final since their historic triumph in 1966, with Kane and Bellingham each contributing six goals during the campaign.
Spain will head into Sunday’s final full of confidence as they seek to add a second FIFA World Cup title to their triumph in 2010 and cap an outstanding period that has already seen them crowned European champions.
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