France 0-2 Spain — World Cup 2026 Match Report

France’s dream of back-to-back World Cup finals died in Texas, as Spain’s clinical finishing sent them through to Sunday’s showpiece in New Jersey. Mikel Oyarzabal’s first-half penalty and a second-half strike from Pedro Porro secured a 2-0 semi-final win at Dallas Stadium, ending Les Bleus’ tournament in heartbreaking fashion.

How The Match Unfolded

This semi-final had been billed as a clash of styles, with France’s prolific attack coming up against Spain’s formidable defence in what many expected to be a tight, tactical battle. Spain took control early and made it count, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting a penalty in the 22nd minute to give La Roja the lead they had been threatening. France, unable to find the fluidity that had carried them through the group stage and knockout rounds, struggled to create clear openings against a Spanish backline that refused to buckle under pressure.

The second half brought little relief for the French, and Spain doubled their advantage when Pedro Porro found the net in the 58th minute , effectively ending any hope of a comeback. From that point, Spain managed the game with the composure of a side that has been the tournament’s most consistent performer, closing out a result that saw them advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium .

Key Moments

The Oyarzabal penalty was the game’s pivotal moment, breaking the deadlock and forcing France to chase the match for the remainder of the half. Porro’s second goal shortly after the hour mark was the dagger, deflating any belief France still held after having arrived at the semi-final having won all six of their matches, including a 2-0 victory over Morocco . Spain, by contrast, had needed late drama to get here, having advanced courtesy of a dramatic late winner from Mikel Merino against Belgium in the quarter-finals — a reminder that this Spanish side has found different ways to win throughout the tournament.

What It Means

Spain’s victory books them a spot in Sunday’s final, where just as they