Dallas: Spain secured a place in the World Cup final after producing an impressive performance to defeat tournament favourites France in the semi-finals at Dallas Stadium.
Luis de la Fuente’s side combined defensive discipline with clinical finishing to control the contest and earn a deserved victory, thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. Spain will now compete in the final on July 19, as they chase their second World Cup title.
The breakthrough came midway through the opening half when France defender Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal while attempting to clear the ball inside the penalty area. Oyarzabal stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty, giving Spain a lead they never looked like surrendering.
📹 INSIDE | The final whistle was only the beginning❤️🇪🇸 #VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/T8SzCURTZP
— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 14, 2026
Spain continued to dictate the tempo after the break, while France struggled to create clear opportunities despite their wealth of attacking talent. The advantage was doubled when Porro exchanged passes with Dani Olmo before calmly finishing at the near post.
Trailing by two goals with over 30 minutes remaining, France searched for a way back into the match but found it difficult to break through Spain’s organised defence, which has conceded only one goal throughout the tournament.
Spain remained composed in the closing stages, comfortably seeing out the victory to reach the final.
The defeat ends France’s bid to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. They will now face the loser of the other semi-final in third-place play-off taking place on July 18, which will also mark the final tournament for head coach Didier Deschamps after 14 years in charge.
Spain will now head to New Jersey for the final, where they will face either England or Argentina, with the opportunity to lift the World Cup trophy for only the second time in their history.
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