Spain are the first time into the World Cup 2026 final after defeating France 2-0 in an impressive and composed performance in Dallas.
Luis de la Fuente’s men came into the match as slight underdogs with plaudits reserved for France’s fierce front four but La Roja nullified their threat with midfield dominance on an evening that showed their class.
The European champions will have the chance to win back-to-back major tournaments having taken the lead in the semi-final. Lamine Yamal was brought down in the box by Lucas Digne and Mikel Oyarzabal continued his fine campaign by converting from the spot.
Things then got worse for Didier Deschamps’ men as William Saliba was subbed off due to injury in the first half before Pedro Porro finished off an exemplary move of one-touch passing to weave into the box and slot home past Mike Maignan.
At 2-0 up, Spain shut down the game with controlled passing and possession play and booked their place in the World Cup showpiece where they will face either England or Argentina.
Follow all the reaction from the World Cup semi-final with our live blog below:
How an unlikely Spain source stunned France to clinch World Cup final berth
So, in a state with a history of Spanish conquest, history could be repeating itself for Spain. As in Euro 2024, they beat France in a semi-final.
As in 2010, they could follow victory in the European Championships by doing the double, by adding a World Cup. Deep in the heart of Texas, Luis de la Fuente’s side took a sizeable step towards greatness.
Didier Deschamps had pronounced them as the favourites to win the World Cup. It turns out that was not just kidology.
Did Lamine Yamal commit a handball as he won a penalty for Spain vs France?
England up next
The three lions will have been watching that game intently, scouting their potential final opposition. Their focus, however, will not slip from their next game against the reigning world champions Argentina.
Lionel Messi is in fantastic form and will undoubtedly cause major problems for England’s defence tomorrow, but Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and company will have something to say about that.
Mbappe offers his thoughts on a painful loss
“I think we didn’t play our game, neither technically or tactically. When you don’t do what you’re supposed to do in a World Cup semi final, you don’t win. Spain stayed true to their game plan.
“Right from the start, we were pressing 3 against 2. We messed up there. Against Spain, we need to press 1 for 1. And even when we recovered the ball. Our ball touches, and our movements were not worthy of a World Cup semifinal. We did not have what it takes to go to the World Cup final, to be honest.”
The Golden Boot Race – update ahead of England vs Argentina
Mbappe has missed out on the opportunity to nudge ahead of his elder rival, Messi, who will take on England tomorrow with the final and a chance at defending his World Cup title on the line. The Argentine has at least one more game to try and secure the golden boot and Mbappe will be stuck on eight.
Kane and Bellingham also still remain in the race with six goals a piece and if they can topple Argentina then all three of the goal scorers above them – Haaland, Messi and Mbappe – will have been eliminated from the tournament.
Former French top-scorer Olivier Giroud gives his honest verdict after France lose to the ‘best team in the tournament’
“I think we faced the best team in the tournament, we never played that standard. Our players have been fantastic so far but today they did not play at their level.
“Plus the fact that Spain have been really strong, one and the other and you lose the game. You have nothing to say, you could have regrets, you have to be p***ed off.
“Our best players didn’t play as usual. We did not create enough chances and Spain’s defence did really well.
“The early goal was key for them and the rest of the game.”
Cherki – ‘France was missing everything today’
The substitute midfielder was bemused by his teams inability to get anything going against the staunch Spanish defence, but remains confident in future World Cup success.
“In so many ways, France was missing everything today,” he said through an interpreter.
“We’ll be back in four years and we won’t make the same mistakes.
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente ‘proud’ of his men.
“It is difficult to describe how one feels, but I know it is something that resembles happiness. The pride I have for every single one of this group of players is great, but now we have to keep going. We still have one more step to go. We’re going to try to achieve it.
“A lot of tension builds up, it is a huge responsibility, and to be in the final of a World Cup is a luxury. It is only for the chosen ones and the rest have to try to repeat it, not in this squad, but when we started almost four years ago with an idea, a philosophy and that has brought us here. I’m so proud of this.
“Today we played one of the best national teams in the world, but they came up against the best team in the world. That is different. These players deserve it all because they show day after day their commitment, their generosity, their talent. It was marvellous to see them play so spectacularly today. They make the difficult look so easy. Happy, proud and what calms me now is that we start to realise where we are.”
Spain captain Rodri says his players are ready to go on and win the World Cup
“They [France] can punish you at every single moment, so I think the focus in every single minute was key in this game. Unbelievable effort by everyone.
“We’ve only been twice in our history. So difficult to get to this moment, but we want more. We want to win this World Cup”
