Spain Triumphs Over France to Secure World Cup Final Spot

In a thrilling semifinal match, Spain triumphed over France with a 2-0 victory, securing their place in the World Cup final. Coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team's discipline and commitment, highlighting their long-term vision that has led them to this moment. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro were key players in this match, with Oyarzabal reaching a significant milestone in his international career. As Spain prepares to face either England or Argentina in the final, the excitement builds for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2026, 04:28 IST

Spain's Remarkable Victory

Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, praised his team following their impressive 2-0 win against France in the FIFA World Cup semifinal, asserting that they have demonstrated they are 'the best team in the world' through a disciplined performance.

After securing a spot in the World Cup final, De la Fuente reflected on the team's commitment to a long-term strategy that began nearly four years ago. He stated, 'We initiated this journey almost four years ago with a vision, and our dedication to that vision has led us here.'

While acknowledging France's quality, he emphasized that his team rose to the occasion, saying, 'Today we faced one of the top national teams globally, but they were up against the best team in the world, which makes a difference.'

Spain's Clinical Performance

Spain showcased a clinical performance at Dallas Stadium, effectively combining solid defense with precise finishing to secure their place in the final. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, followed by a second goal from Pedro Porro, who was named Player of the Match for his outstanding display.

With this victory, Spain advances to the World Cup final, where they will face either England or Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Their last World Cup final appearance was in 2010, where they triumphed against the Netherlands thanks to a goal from Andres Iniesta.

Oyarzabal's Milestone

Oyarzabal continued his impressive form, bringing his total to 18 goals in his last 20 matches for Spain. His penalty goal also marked him as the sixth player to reach 30 international goals for the national team, joining the ranks of David Villa (59), Raul (44), Fernando Torres (38), Alvaro Morata (37), and David Silva (35).

Despite entering the match as slight underdogs, France threatened early on with Kylian Mbappe, but Spain took the lead when Lamine Yamal earned a penalty after being fouled in the box. Oyarzabal confidently converted the penalty past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Spain quickly doubled their advantage with Porro's goal, who skillfully combined with Dani Olmo before finishing into the bottom corner. France attempted to respond by bringing on Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki, but Spain maintained control of the match. Goalkeeper Unai Simon made crucial saves, and defender Marc Cucurella executed a vital tackle to thwart Mbappe.

The final whistle ignited celebrations among the Spanish players, while France will now prepare for a third-place playoff on Saturday, where Mbappe will have another chance to increase his goal tally in pursuit of the Golden Boot.