Spain secure World Cup final berth with dominant semi-final victory over France
France’s tournament campaign ends in Arlington as Spain control the semi-final, setting up a clash with the winner of the England-Argentina fixture.
Spain have advanced to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a comprehensive 2-0 victory over France in the semi-final. The match, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, saw the European champions dismantle their opponents to secure a place in the tournament decider.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro provided the decisive margin for Spain. Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal in the box. Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute, ensuring a comfortable win for the Spanish side.
The result brings an end to France’s campaign in the 2026 tournament and marks the conclusion of Kylian Mbappé’s participation in the World Cup. France had entered the semi-final as tournament favourites, but were unable to overcome a disciplined Spanish defence that limited their opportunities throughout the match.
Structural changes to the tournament’s presentation were also notable during the event. This edition of the World Cup features the first-ever half-time show in FIFA history, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, with performances scheduled by Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
Spain will now face the winner of the semi-final between England and Argentina in the final. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
