On Tuesday, Spain secured their place in the 2026 World Cup final by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, held at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The match's standout moments were recorded on the official scoreboard. Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute with a penalty kick scored by Mikel Oyarzabal, and Pedro Porro sealed the victory with a goal in open play in the 58th minute.
France faced an early setback when William Saliba was forced to leave the field due to injury in the 30th minute, replaced by Maxence Lacroix. This defensive disruption occurred at a time when France was already trailing.
Despite holding 55% of the possession compared to Spain's 45%, and earning seven corners to Spain's one, the French team struggled to convert their control into clear chances. Both teams managed only two shots on target each. Spain, more direct and efficient, took 10 shots in total, while France attempted eight.
Towards the end, a corner by Theo Hernández was overturned by VAR in the 83rd minute, and Kylian Mbappé received a yellow card in the 86th minute, continuing his difficulties against a challenging opponent. Spain had dominated their recent encounters, winning seven of the last ten meetings, which included victories in the 2024 European Championship and the 2025 Nations League.
Spain's journey to this World Cup final saw them overpower Austria with a 3-0 win in the round of 16, eliminate Portugal with a late goal by Merino in the 91st minute, and stage a comeback against Belgium in the quarterfinals with another crucial goal by Merino in the 88th minute.
In contrast, France exits the tournament in the semifinals. This defeat leaves them without a chance for World Cup revenge, as their only previous World Cup meeting against Spain resulted in a 3-1 win for France in the 2006 round of 16.
The final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, will see Spain face off against either Argentina or England, who compete on Wednesday in Atlanta. Should Spain emerge victorious, they will claim their second World Cup title, having first won in South Africa in 2010.
Key Questions About Spain's World Cup Journey
How did Spain secure their place in the 2026 World Cup final?
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semifinals, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
Who will Spain face in the World Cup final?
Spain will face the winner of the match between Argentina and England in the final.
What was the impact of William Saliba's injury on the match?
Saliba's injury in the 30th minute disrupted France's defense at a crucial moment when they were already behind.