Spain Defeats France 2-0 to Reach World Cup 2026 Final

How it unfolded

Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after a foul in the box. France struggled to create clear chances in the first half, managing only 1 shot on goal compared to Spain's 2. The half ended with Spain leading 1-0, with France holding 49% possession.

The decisive moments

The second half saw Spain extend their lead in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro, who finished a well-worked move. France pushed for a comeback but could only manage 2 shots on target overall, while Spain registered 2. Despite having equal total shots (10 each), France's lack of precision proved costly.

What it means

Spain's victory sends them to the World Cup 2026 final, marking their first final appearance since 2010. For France, the defeat ends their title defense after winning in 2018. Spain's balanced performance, with slight dominance in possession and clinical finishing, was the difference in this tight semi-final.