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Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to reach the final for the first time in 16 years, marking only the second occasion in the tournament’s history that Spain has advanced to the final, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting a first-half penalty and Pedro Porro sealing the win with a second goal in the second half.
Oyarzabal and Porro Seal Historic Win
Spain will face the winner of the other semi-final between Argentina and England in the tournament’s final. Following the loss, France will now compete for third place against the losing team of the second semi-final. This marks only the second time Spain has reached a World Cup final, having previously done so in 2010, and the team remains unbeaten throughout this year’s tournament.
France’s Six-Match Winning Streak and 40-Year Semi-Final Curse Ends
The defeat also ended France’s remarkable streak of six consecutive World Cup match wins, a feat the team had earlier achieved across the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Notably, this marks France’s first semi-final defeat in 40 years, having last lost at this stage in the 1986 World Cup, when Germany beat them 2-0.
Match Highlights: Yamal Fouled, Oyarzabal and Porro Convert
France started the match aggressively, with Kylian Mbappe looking to pressure Spain’s defence early on. However, Spain earned a penalty after French defender Lucas Digne fouled 19-year-old Spanish forward Lamine Yamal while attempting to stop him. In the 22nd minute, Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty to give Spain a 1-0 lead. France pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but it was Spain who struck again, as Pedro Porro scored a brilliant goal in the 58th minute to extend the lead to 2-0.
