Spain is one win away from reclaiming soccer’s biggest prize. Powered by the brilliance of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and clinical finishing from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, Spain defeated France 2-0 in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal to book its place in the championship match for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
La Roja delivered another composed and dominant performance against one of the tournament favorites, extending its remarkable run through the knockout stage while ending France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
Spain will now await the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between defending champion Argentina and England. The World Cup Final will be played Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Just one day after celebrating his 19th birthday, Lamine Yamal once again proved why he has become one of the brightest stars in world football.
Although he was denied a spectacular goal by a tight offside decision early in the second half, the Barcelona phenom was at the center of Spain’s breakthrough.
In the 22nd minute, Yamal chased down a loose ball inside the penalty area after France defender Lucas Digne struggled with an awkward clearance. Racing in from behind, the teenager forced Digne into a desperate challenge that caught Yamal after the ball deflected off his arm.
Following a VAR review, Spain was awarded a penalty. Veteran striker Mikel Oyarzabal calmly stepped to the spot and buried the kick, giving Spain a 1-0 lead while scoring his fifth goal of the tournament.
The goal was historically significant, marking the first time either Spain or France had trailed during their seven matches in the 2026 World Cup.
For Oyarzabal, it was also his 30th international goal in just 60 appearances for Spain. Spain continued to dictate possession after halftime and eventually found the decisive second goal.
In the 58th minute, Pedro Porro completed a beautiful give-and-go combination with Dani Olmo, finishing clinically to extend Spain’s lead to 2-0.
Moments later, Yamal thought he had added a third after another dazzling attacking sequence, but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Despite the disallowed goal, Yamal’s creativity, pace and confidence repeatedly stretched the French defense throughout the evening.
France entered the semifinal as FIFA’s top-ranked nation and hoped to become only the third country ever to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.
Instead, Didier Deschamps’ side found itself frustrated by Spain’s disciplined defense and relentless midfield control.
Captain Kylian Mbappé was unable to find the breakthrough against a Spanish back line that limited France’s dangerous attack for most of the night.
Les Bleus will now turn their attention to Saturday’s third-place match in Miami Gardens, Florida, where they will look to finish the tournament on a positive note.
Tuesday’s victory marked the third consecutive summer that Spain eliminated France in a major international tournament semifinal.
The rivalry began at UEFA Euro 2024 when a then-16-year-old Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal in Spain’s 2-1 semifinal victory over France.
Spain followed that by defeating France in last year’s UEFA Nations League semifinal before adding another memorable chapter with Tuesday’s World Cup triumph.
Following Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium, Yamal confidently stated that France should be the team fearing Spain.
His prediction proved prophetic.
Spain has steadily emerged as the tournament’s most complete team, blending experienced veterans with an exciting new generation led by Yamal.
Oyarzabal continues to deliver in front of goal, Dani Olmo orchestrates the midfield, and Spain’s organized defense has consistently shut down elite opposition throughout the tournament.
Now, La Roja stands just one victory away from capturing its second FIFA World Cup title and its first since the unforgettable triumph in 2010.
Whether the opponent is defending champion Argentina or a resurgent England squad, Spain enters Sunday’s final riding a wave of confidence, momentum, and the brilliance of one of football’s newest global superstars in Lamine Yamal.
