Spain dismantle France to reach World Cup final
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secure Spain’s place in the final, ending France’s bid for a third consecutive appearance.
Spain have advanced to the 2026 World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in their semi-final clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The victory on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, concludes France’s campaign and halts their attempt to become only the third nation in history to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.
The match was characterised by Spain’s control of the tempo, with the European champions delivering what was described as a dominating performance. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured the result, although the specific timing of the strikes was not recorded in available reports. France, who were considered favourites for the tournament prior to the semi-final, were unable to break down the Spanish defence.
Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, will now await the outcome of the second semi-final between Argentina and England to determine their opponent in the championship match. The result of that fixture remains pending, leaving Spain’s final adversary unconfirmed as they prepare for the concluding game.
Following the victory, Spanish player Lamine Yamal posted comments on social media referencing Spain’s previous elimination of France from the European Championships. The remarks served to reinforce the narrative of Spanish superiority over their French rivals, linking the current World Cup success directly to the earlier continental tournament outcome.
The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled to take place in New Jersey on Sunday. While the focus remains on the impending championship, other sporting developments included Manchester United confirming that Mason Greenwood is no longer a player at the club, and Tadej Pogacar demonstrating dominance in the Tour de France.
