Spain is the first finalist of the 2026 World Cup . With a goal in each half (Oyarzabal from the penalty spot and Pedro Porro) they defeated France and now await the winner of the match between England and Argentina.
De La Fuente's team defeated the Blues at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, by a score of 2-0 . The French thus missed out on what would have been their third consecutive final, following those in 2018 against Croatia, which they won, and in 2022 against Argentina, which they lost.
First half
After a balanced start with no chances, just before the hydration break , a naivety from Digne effectively gave the Iberian team the lead. The French full-back went to clear the ball into the penalty area but didn't see Lamine Yamal approaching and kicked him. The penalty was inevitable, converted by Oyarzabal in the 22nd minute .
Deschamps was forced to substitute Saliba after half an hour, who was struggling with a muscle injury, and replaced him with Lacroix. Spain, though blunt, was a master of possession and solid in defense, having conceded only one goal in this World Cup. It was therefore difficult for the French to unleash their top players, and Deschamps' team's response was halted by an unpretentious long-range shot from Barcola.
Indeed, it was Spain who came very close to doubling their lead with a wonderful run in the tight spaces following a misplaced clearance by Maignan: Dani Olmo back-heeled the ball to Yamal, who then crossed to the onrushing Fabian Ruiz, who simply had to tap it into the net, where Upamecano's deflection proved providential. At the end of the half , France managed to launch Mbappé towards goal , but Unai Simon did a brilliant job of coming out from the three-quarter line to beat the tournament's joint-top scorer (along with Messi).
