Spain are into the 2026 World Cup final after a dominant 2-0 victory over France in Dallas, a result that could set up a rematch with England in Sunday’s showpiece. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal, the teenager’s electrifying run finally halted by the France left-back. The reigning European champions then took control after the break as Pedro Porro polished off a slick one-two with Dani Olmo, tucking home past Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament.
France, the pre-tournament favourites, were hapless from the start. Kylian Mbappe’s early barnstorming run came to nothing as the Spanish defence crowded him out, and things worsened when Arsenal defender William Saliba hobbled off on the half-hour mark. Didier Deschamps tried to wrestle back control, replacing Adrien Rabiot with Manu Kone at half-time and later withdrawing Bradley Barcola for Desire Doue, but the changes backfired. Spain continued to carve open the French defence, with Yamal thinking he had added a third only to be denied by a narrow offside flag.
“Spain beat France 2-0 in World Cup semi-final in Dallas, setting up a final against England or Argentina.”
France barely mustered a response in the closing stages. Mbappe’s deflected effort was the closest they came to reducing the deficit, while Doue fired straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon when through on goal. The defeat means Deschamps will end his tenure as France manager with a third-place playoff against the other losing semi-finalist. For Spain, Luis de la Fuente’s side now have the chance to hold both the World Cup and European Championship simultaneously for the second time. They will face either England or Argentina in the final in New York on Sunday.
