DALLAS: Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France in the tournament’s first semi-final, ending Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
Played in front of a packed crowd in Dallas, Spain delivered a disciplined and confident performance, controlling possession for long spells and limiting France’s attacking opportunities.
Spain took the lead in the 24th minute when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty after a foul inside the box, giving his side an early advantage. The goal boosted Spain’s confidence as they continued to dictate the tempo of the match.
France attempted to respond after the break, but Spain’s organized defense frustrated every attack. The decisive moment came in the 58th minute, when Pedro Porro found the back of the net with a clinical finish to double Spain’s lead and put the result beyond doubt.
The victory sends Spain into their first World Cup final in 16 years. Their last appearance in the tournament’s showpiece match came in 2010, when they defeated the Netherlands to lift the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.
The upcoming final will be only Spain’s second-ever World Cup final, marking another milestone for a team that has impressed throughout the tournament with its tactical discipline and attacking football.
For France, the defeat brings an end to an impressive World Cup run. The French side had hoped to become the first team in decades to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, but their campaign ended in the last four after being outplayed by an inspired Spanish team.
Spain will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Argentina and England. The victorious side from that clash will face Spain in the World Cup final as the race for football’s biggest prize reaches its climax.
With confidence soaring and history within reach, Spain now stands just one victory away from winning its second FIFA World Cup title.
