Spain delivered another masterclass on Tuesday night, defeating France 2-0 to secure a place in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and move within one victory of lifting football’s biggest prize.
Luis de la Fuente’s side produced a dominant display against Didier Deschamps’ France, combining disciplined defending with clinical finishing to end Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
The reigning European champions controlled possession from the outset, dictated the tempo, and frustrated a French side packed with attacking stars, including Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
Spain’s early dominance paid off in the 22nd minute after they were awarded a penalty. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped forward and calmly converted from the spot to hand his side a deserved lead.
France had already shown signs of frustration, with Adrien Rabiot receiving a yellow card in the ninth minute as Spain’s slick passing game kept the former world champions chasing shadows.
The Spaniards maintained control throughout the first half, denying France any meaningful opportunities while looking dangerous whenever they surged forward.
Any hopes of a French comeback faded shortly after the restart.
In the 58th minute, Dani Olmo split the French defence with a perfectly weighted pass to Pedro Porro, who finished confidently to double Spain’s advantage and leave France with a mountain to climb.
Although Deschamps’ men increased the intensity after conceding the second goal, they found no way past Spain’s resolute defence, which remained compact and organised until the final whistle.
Mbappé, expected to inspire another trademark comeback, endured a difficult evening and capped his frustrating outing with a late yellow card as Spain comfortably protected their lead.
The victory extends Spain’s remarkable run in the tournament, with the European champions continuing to impress through their blend of attacking flair, tactical discipline and defensive solidity. They have now eliminated another heavyweight opponent to reach the World Cup final.
For France, the defeat ends their bid for another global title despite arriving at the tournament as one of the favourites. The two-time world champions were ultimately outclassed by a Spanish side that looked sharper, more organised and more efficient in every department.
Spain will now await the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina as they prepare for the World Cup final, where they will aim to add the FIFA World Cup trophy to their UEFA European Championship title and further cement their place among football’s elite.
