Spain is now only a win away from reclaiming the biggest prize of football after its composed and dominant performance to defeat France 2-0 in the semi-final of FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured La Roja’s place in the final, ending the hope of France reaching their third consecutive World Cup Final.
Most of the fans believe that France will win the semi-finals very easily. For the first 10 minutes, France was continuously attacking and Spain was seen struggling. Spain’s attack came alive down the wing as Lamine Yamal raced onto the ball. As Lamine Yamal ran into the box, Lucas Digne tackled him and knocked him to the ground, giving Spain a penalty, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the net, giving Spain a crucial first-half lead.
Moreover, William Saliba suffered a back injury during the 29th minute of their World Cup semifinal match against Spain, forcing him to leave the pitch without contact. He was replaced by Maxence Lacroix. Also, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot received a yellow card during the 9th minute of the semi-final against Spain for a tactical foul on Spain’s Dani Olmo. Due to these events, the spirit of France was seen very low.
Spain’s second goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France was scored by Pedro Porro in the 58th minute. He doubled the lead by finishing past French goalkeeper Mike Maignan after a brilliant one-two passing sequence with Dani Olmo.
Porro’s outstanding display earned him Player of the Match honours, but the victory reflected a collective performance rather than individual brilliance. Rodri controlled midfield with his usual authority, Fabián Ruiz consistently disrupted France’s attacks, while Marc Cucurella helped neutralise one of the world’s most dangerous forward lines.
Spain’s remarkable tournament statistics underline why many now consider them favourites to lift the trophy. They have conceded only one goal throughout the competition, recorded six clean sheets in seven matches and extended their unbeaten competitive run to nearly 40 games. More importantly, they have consistently adapted to different opponents without compromising their attacking identity.
Speaking after the match, Pedro Porro described reaching the World Cup final as “a dream come true,” praising the team’s unity and tactical discipline. Head coach Luis de la Fuente echoed those sentiments, highlighting Spain’s consistency, defensive organisation and willingness to work collectively as the foundations of their success.
On the opposite side, Didier Deschamps acknowledged Spain deserved the victory. The French manager admitted his team lacked technical precision and attacking aggression, bringing an emotional end to another impressive World Cup campaign.
While France will now prepare for the third-place playoff, Spain’s attention turns to Sunday’s World Cup final, where they will meet the winner of England and Argentina. It promises to be one of the biggest matches in modern football, with Spain seeking to complete a historic double as European and World champions.
After years of rebuilding following their golden generation, Spain have once again become the benchmark for international football. Their blend of experienced leaders, fearless young talent and tactical intelligence has carried them to the brink of another unforgettable achievement.
With confidence soaring and momentum firmly behind them, La Roja are now just one victory away from writing a new chapter in Spanish football history.
