Spain defeated France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal on Tuesday, with Mikel Oyarzabal opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute before Pedro Porro added a second in the 58th to send La Roja through to the final.
In a fixture that had been billed as one of the tournament’s defining tests, Spain handled the occasion with impressive control at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The first half was tight and tactically sharp, with both sides finishing close in possession, but Spain made the decisive breakthrough when Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute to put France on the back foot.
France tried to respond through longer spells of pressure and a steady stream of set pieces, ending the night with seven corners and 10 total shots. But Spain stayed compact between the lines, limited clear openings, and kept France to just three shots on target. Adrien Rabiot’s yellow card in the 9th minute set an early edge for Didier Deschamps’ side, while Marc Cucurella was booked for Spain in the 31st as the contest remained fiercely contested without ever losing its structure.
The second half brought the pivotal swing. With France chasing an equaliser, Spain found the cushion they wanted in the 58th minute when Pedro Porro struck to make it 2-0. That goal changed the rhythm of the match, allowing Spain to manage territory and tempo more comfortably while forcing France into increasingly hurried attacks.
For all of France’s attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé, the semifinal never fully opened up for them. Mbappé was shown a yellow card in the 86th minute as frustration grew, and Spain’s defensive organisation continued to stand out. Even though the shot count finished level at 10 apiece and possession was nearly even, Spain were more clinical in the decisive moments and more composed in both penalty areas.
Key performers
Oyarzabal set the tone with his penalty in the 22nd minute, showing the calm required in a World Cup semifinal. Porro’s 58th-minute goal was equally important, arriving just as France were pushing for a way back into the match. At the other end, Spain’s back line deserves enormous credit for a disciplined display that turned France’s territorial pressure into limited genuine danger.
NerdSports Stat: Spain scored 2 goals from just 2 shots on target, while France managed 10 attempts, 7 corners, and 49.1% possession without finding a way past the Spanish defence.
This result sends Spain into the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after seeing off one of the pre-match favourites in the first semifinal. France bow out at the last-four stage, while Spain now await the winner of the other semifinal with a chance to add another world title to their history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mikel Oyarzabal (22′ pen) and Pedro Porro (58′) scored for Spain.
France 0 – 2 Spain.
Spain advance from the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals into the final, while France are eliminated at the last-four stage.
Mikel Oyarzabal was the standout performer with his 22nd-minute penalty that gave Spain control of the semifinal.
