Spain secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after producing a composed and convincing 2 0 victory over France in the semi final at Dallas Stadium. The European champions delivered another disciplined performance, frustrating one of the tournament’s strongest attacking teams while taking their own chances with confidence.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the opening half when a defensive mistake from Lucas Digne proved costly. As the French defender attempted to clear the danger, he brought down Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a spot kick. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the penalty, giving Spain a deserved advantage.
Holding the lead allowed Spain to dictate the rhythm of the contest. Their organised defensive structure denied France any clear opportunities, while their midfield remained in complete control of possession.
France were expected to respond with greater intensity after the interval, but Spain continued to dominate proceedings. Their second goal came through an excellent attacking move as Dani Olmo combined neatly with Pedro Porro before the defender finished confidently at the near post to double Spain’s lead.
Despite having more than thirty minutes to recover, France struggled to create meaningful chances. Spain’s defensive discipline once again stood out, with the side allowing their opponents very little space throughout the match. Remarkably, France did not register their first shot on target until the 81st minute, highlighting just how effectively Spain controlled every area of the pitch. They have now conceded only one goal during the entire tournament.
Rodri was once again influential in midfield, breaking up attacks and setting the tempo with impressive composure. After returning from a lengthy anterior cruciate ligament injury, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner appears to be close to his very best. Fabian Ruiz also impressed alongside him, rewarding the coaching staff’s decision to select him ahead of Pedri.
For France, the defeat brings an end to their hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final. Didier Deschamps will conclude his remarkable fourteen year spell as head coach after Saturday’s third place playoff, bringing an era of sustained success to a close.
Spain will now travel to New Jersey, where they await the winner of the second semi final between England and Argentina. They are now just one victory away from lifting the World Cup trophy for only the second time in their history, matching the achievement of their memorable 2010 championship winning side.
