Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Spain delivered a commanding display at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, defeating France 2-0 to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored as Luis de la Fuente’s team secured only the country’s second appearance in the tournament decider.
France entered the semifinal as the favourite after winning every previous match in regulation time. Yet Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise were contained by a Spanish team that controlled possession, crowded midfield and allowed few clear chances.
The tactical questions raised in the France vs Spain prediction and team news were answered emphatically by the European champions.
Spain Takes Control in Dallas
Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute before Pedro Porro completed the scoring after 58 minutes. The result and goals are confirmed in FIFA’s official semifinal match report.
Spain needed only two attempts on target to score twice. France managed three shots on target but rarely forced goalkeeper Unai Simón into a difficult save.
“Spain scalped France - they flattened France,” former Premier League champion Chris Sutton said.
“We have given France so much praise in this tournament, but they were swatted aside by silky Spain. In the main, Spain have outfought and outplayed this French team.”
Roy Keane reached a similar conclusion after watching France’s collection of gifted attackers fail to operate as one unit.
“France were not playing as a team. Brilliant individuals not playing as a team,” Roy Keane said.
“Spain have been absolutely brilliant - an absolute joy to watch.”
Midfield Numbers Overwhelm France
The centre of the pitch decided the semifinal. Fabián Ruiz, Rodri Hernández and Dani Olmo gave Spain a three-player unit against the two central midfielders used in France’s 4-4-1-1 defensive shape.
Dani Olmo moved between the lines as a roaming attacking midfielder. When he dropped deeper, France had to decide whether a centre-back should follow him or remain in position.
Neither solution worked for long. Dani Olmo resisted pressure, found nearby teammates and repeatedly helped Spain move through the centre before switching play toward the flanks.
Spain also attacked the areas around France’s full-backs. Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella pushed forward to join Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena, creating two-against-one situations on both sides.
That pattern produced the second goal. Désiré Doué did not follow Pedro Porro’s run, allowing the right-back to exchange passes with Dani Olmo before finishing beyond Mike Maignan.
France defended zones instead of following individual runners, but the block became too passive. Spain moved the ball quickly enough to pull players out of position without surrendering control.
“They stopped Olise playing - they won the game tactically,” former France midfielder Patrick Vieira said.
Ian Wright added: “It was structure over individuality. I am just shocked it has happened that easily.”
Defensive Record Reaches New Level
Spain has now matched Italy’s international record of 37 matches without defeat. Luis de la Fuente’s team has also become the first country to keep six clean sheets at a single FIFA World Cup.
France generated only 0.3 expected goals, the lowest figure faced by a team in a World Cup semifinal since Brazil played Sweden in 1994. That number reflected how rarely France entered dangerous central positions.
Several Spanish players have built remarkable unbeaten records across major tournaments. Aymeric Laporte has made 22 combined appearances at the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship without losing, while Mikel Oyarzabal has played 20.
Fabián Ruiz has reached 16 unbeaten appearances, with Mikel Merino and Lamine Yamal both on 14. Lamine Yamal has also started 12 matches across the two tournaments and finished on the winning side every time.
The teenager did not need to score against France. His movement held defenders wide and gave Spain more room to work through midfield.
Luis de la Fuente Reaches Another Final
Luis de la Fuente was appointed in December 2022 after coaching Spain at under-19, under-21 and under-23 level. His senior record now includes the 2023 UEFA Nations League title, UEFA Euro 2024 and a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Many members of the current squad worked with Luis de la Fuente at youth level. Mikel Merino, Rodri Hernández and Unai Simón were part of his European Under-19 Championship-winning group in 2015.
That shared history was visible after the final whistle. Players who had not appeared against France remained on the pitch to complete a training session while celebrations continued around them.
“We've recaptured the spirit of 2010,” Luis de la Fuente said.
“The character of this team is evident in the fact that those who didn't play have stayed behind to train after the match.”
“This is a process and it was all planned for us to reach this moment in as great shape as possible.”
Spain Awaits England or Argentina
Spain will face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Victory would deliver the country’s second world title, 16 years after Andrés Iniesta scored the winner against the Netherlands in 2010.
An England victory in Atlanta would create a repeat of the UEFA Euro 2024 final. An Argentina win would place Spain against the defending world champion and Lionel Messi.
“I don't have a preference. I really like England. I said before the World Cup they were one of the favourites,” Luis de la Fuente said.
France will move to the third-place play-off after falling short of a third consecutive final. For Spain, a campaign that began with a goalless draw against Cape Verde now stands one victory from another world title.
