Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro saw Spain cruise into the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final with a 2-0 victory over France at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, USA.
Oyarzabal fired Spain into a 22nd-minute lead through a penalty after Lamine Yamal was brought down by a left-footed hit from Lucas Digne.
Pedro Porro eventually booked Spain’s place in the final with a 58th-minute finish from Dani Olmo’s pass in a one-two move into the box between the pair.
Spain will now meet the winner of England’s semi-final tie against Argentina in the final on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, USA, at 3pm EDT (20:00 BST).
France meanwhile will meet the loser of England’s semi-final tie against Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA, on Saturday 18 July at 5pm EDT (22:00pm BST).
Given France’s quality firepower and Spain’s defensive resilience throughout the tournament, it was no surprise that the first 20 minutes proved cagey until Yamal drew a left-footed foul from Digne as the latter caught him on the left thigh as he half-turned trying to meet a cross.
Oyarzabal stepped up two minutes later and dispatched the penalty into the top right corner to put Spain in front, despite France goalkeeper, Mike Maignan having dived correctly to his left.
France were dealt a further blow in the 30th minute when William Saliba had to be substituted with a suspected muscle injury, with Maxence Lacroix introduced into the action in his place.
Neither team found a further goal before half time as Bradley Barcola and Pedro Porro curled over the bar for France and Spain respectively, whilst Fabian Ruiz flicked a short pass from Yamal narrowly wide of his near-bottom right corner in the 38th minute.
Oyarzabal nearly doubled Spain’s lead early in the second half but fired over in the 52nd minute as the reigning European champions – exactly two years to the very day they won UEFA Euro 2024 – quickly controlled proceedings.
Spain eventually doubled their lead six minutes later as Porro burst up the right and played an one-two into the box with Olmo, which he calmly slotted in to put them on the cusp of their second appearance in the final.
France eventually failed to trouble Spain’s defence aside from a brief moment when Unai Simons came out to make a block, yet he was able to recover and block Desire Doue’s follow-up shot, which meant that Spain would contest only their second World Cup Final – having won the title on their first showpiece appearance in 2010.
Teams
France: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba (Lacroix 30′), Lucas Digne (T.Hernandez 72′), Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot (Kone 46′), Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise (Cherki 72′), Bradley Barcola (Doue 57′), Kylian Mbappe
Substitutes: Maghnes Akliouche, Rayan Cherki, Desire Doue, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, N’Golo Kante, Ibrahima Konate, Manu Kone, Maxence Lacroix, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Robin Risser, Brice Samba, Marcus Thuram, Warren Zaire-Emery
Spain: Unai Simons, Pedro Porro (Llorente 84′), Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz (Pedri 78′), Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Merino 78′), Alex Baena (Williams 84′), Mikel Oyarzabal (Torres 74′)
Substitutes: Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia, Pedri, Alejandro Grimaldo, Borja Iglesias, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Victor Munoz, Yeremy Pino, Marc Pubill, Gavi, David Raya, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Martin Zubimendi
Referee – Ivan Barton (El Salvador)
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