In a thrilling match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Spain overcame France 2-0 on Tuesday, securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup final for the first time since their triumph in South Africa in 2010. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal via a penalty in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro in the 58th minute were enough to dismantle the French team and propel La Roja to the pinnacle of the footballing world once more.
Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain's victory was built upon an impeccable defensive strategy that left the French attack, one of the most feared in the tournament, struggling for answers. Star players like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé were unable to penetrate the disciplined and tactically astute Spanish defense, which proved impenetrable throughout the match.
Oyarzabal's early penalty provided Spain with the composure needed to control the game from the get-go. Pedro Porro's goal in the second half further solidified Spain's dominance, as the French team failed to find any gaps in the reigning European champions' defense.
Spain's Tactical Mastery
Not content with just defending, Spain's offensive players, including Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, continually tested French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Meanwhile, the Spanish midfield commanded possession authoritatively, preventing France from mounting any significant threat near the box.
Kylian Mbappé, who entered the semifinals with lingering fitness concerns after an ankle injury against Morocco, was effectively nullified for the entire 90 minutes. Despite being the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals, the Real Madrid forward could find no opportunities to add to his tally against Spain's resolute defense.
Celebrating a Remarkable Journey
As the match progressed, Spain's control became overwhelming. The final minutes were marked by a series of Spanish passes and cheers of "olé" from the crowd, underscoring France's inability to respond.
Spain's path to the final has been flawless, remaining undefeated throughout the competition. They topped Group H and secured victories over Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0), and Belgium (2-1), with a decisive goal by Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the quarterfinals. The Spanish Royal Family expressed their joy with a public message: "Thank you for the joy you bring."
The last time Spain reached a World Cup final was in 2010, where they defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time, courtesy of Andrés Iniesta's memorable 116th-minute goal, earning them their first and only world title.
On Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, Spain will have the chance to claim their second World Cup trophy. Their opponent will be determined in the semifinal clash between Argentina and England, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta.
Spain's World Cup Journey
How did Spain perform in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
Spain topped Group H and won all their matches, showcasing a strong and consistent performance throughout the group stage.
Who scored the decisive goal in Spain's quarterfinal match?
Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal against Belgium in the 88th minute to secure Spain's place in the semifinals.
When was the last time Spain won the World Cup?
Spain last won the World Cup in 2010, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final, with Andrés Iniesta scoring the winning goal in extra time.