Arlington, (Texas), July 14: Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France here on Tuesday (July 14), continuing their remarkable unbeaten run and moving within one win of lifting football’s biggest prize for the second time in history.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro proved enough for Luis de la Fuente’s side to overcome the tournament favourites and secure Spain’s first World Cup final appearance since their triumphant campaign in South Africa in 2010.
The reigning European champions will now face either England or defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece final, while Didier Deschamps’ France will have to settle for the third-place playoff.
Oyarzabal Punishes France From The Spot
Spain made the brighter start and nearly opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Alex Baena’s free-kick from the edge of the box struck the French wall after Adrien Rabiot was booked for fouling Dani Olmo.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 22nd minute after teenage sensation Lamine Yamal showcased his brilliance once again.
The 19-year-old chased a loose ball inside the penalty area and cleverly got to it ahead of Lucas Digne, who caught the winger while attempting to clear. After pointing to the spot, the referee awarded Spain a penalty.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up with composure and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his fifth goal of the tournament and give Spain a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal also marked the first time France had fallen behind during the 2026 World Cup.
Spains journey to the World Cup final has been incredible. They couldnt even defeat Cape Verde in their opening game, but now they are just one step away from lifting the trophy.
They stayed away from the spotlight throughout the tournament, quietly doing their job.
But… pic.twitter.com/LtiXeFWxxj
— Mykhel Football (@Mykhel_football) July 14, 2026 ">
France Fail To Find A Response
France, led by captain Kylian Mbappe, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against Spain's disciplined defence. Mbappe, who had returned to the starting lineup after overcoming a fitness concern from the quarter-final against Morocco, found little space as Spain's backline remained compact. Didier Deschamps introduced fresh legs after the break, bringing on Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone for Adrien Rabiot in an attempt to inject energy into midfield. However, Spain continued to dictate possession and control the tempo.Pedro Porro Seals Spain's Place In The Final
Spain doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through an unlikely source. Right-back Pedro Porro surged forward and produced a clinical finish to beat the French goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations among the Spanish supporters inside the stadium. The goal effectively put the contest beyond France, who never looked capable of mounting a comeback despite introducing more attacking options.
Spain One Win Away From Glory
Spain's victory capped another outstanding performance in what has been an exceptional tournament. La Roja finished top of Group H without conceding a goal before defeating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and now France in the knockout rounds. The win extends Spain's unbeaten run at the tournament and keeps alive hopes of winning a second FIFA World Cup title after their historic success in 2010. For France, the defeat ends hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final after appearances in 2018 and 2022. All eyes now turn to Sunday's final, where Spain will meet either England or Argentina in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown for football's greatest prize.About the Author
