FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-finals: France vs Spain Match Report – Oyarzabal and Porro Fire Spain Into Final After Dominant 2-0 Win Over France

Spain were in total control against France in the World Cup semi-final, effectively stifling Les Bleus’ attack to book a place in the final. Mikel Oyarzabal continued his fine form for Spain as he helped them to a 2-0 win over France, which sent them to the World Cup final for the first time since 2010.

La Roja will face either England or Argentina for the trophy, as Pedro Porro’s goal gave them the insurance they needed against a lacklustre France side at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. In front of 70,176 fans, Luis de la Fuente’s team scored in each half and kept a calm grip on key phases.

Match Overview

First Half: Quiet Start and Oyarzabal Penalty

It was a fairly quiet start for both sides, with Adrien Rabiot swinging a volley wide before Álex Baena hit the wall from a free-kick on the edge of the box. But Spain got their opening from the penalty spot as Lucas Digne, unaware of his surroundings, kicked through Lamine Yamal as he tried to clear his lines.

Oyarzabal confidently stepped up from 12 yards and powered his fifth goal of these finals down the right, giving Mike Maignan no chance in the 22nd minute. Bradley Barcola fired over in France’s best first-half chance, while they got a reprieve at the other end as Dayot Upamecano took the ball off Fabián Ruiz’s toe after a lovely Spain move.

France’s evening got trickier eight minutes later when William Saliba had to go off injured, with Maxence Lacroix stepping in. Kylian Mbappé – who broke the record for the most appearances for France at the World Cup (21) – did not click into gear, being caught offside more times (twice) than he had touches in the opposition box (one) in the first half. France failed to record a first-half shot on target for the third time in seven games at this tournament.

Second Half: Porro Seals It and France Push in Vain

Spain continued to dominate after the break and got their reward in the 58th minute as Porro played a lovely one-two with Dani Olmo to get in behind France and sweep home their second. The sequence was clean and quick, exactly the kind of action that suited the match tempo.

It almost got worse for Les Bleus three minutes later as Yamal peeled away, rounded Digne on the edge of the six-yard box and curled a wonderful finish past Maignan, but he had set off too early, with the offside flag denying him. Kylian Mbappé sprang into life midway through the second half to drill a low shot across goal, but Marc Cucurella stuck out a leg to deflect it narrowly wide of the far post.

France were gifted a great chance to halve the deficit when Unai Simón fluffed his header after rushing out of his box, but the goalkeeper recovered to block Désiré Doué’s tame shot as Didier Deschamps’ side crashed out in the semi-finals. France had introduced Manu Koné at the break and added Doué soon after, seeking more thrust. They did rack up territory and corners, but Spain’s back line stayed organized. By the time Marcos Llorente and Nico Williams came on, Spain were already managing the scoreboard and rhythm.

Goal Summary

Key Match Statistics

Spain Control Key Moments and Physical Battles

Start with expected goals. France finished at 0.30 xG, while Spain posted 1.63, a gap driven by Oyarzabal’s penalty and Porro’s high-quality chance. Spain created three big chances to France’s none, which neatly explains how a 10-10 shot count still became a two-goal win. France did put more shots on target, 3 to 2, but shot quality favored Spain all night. The xG figure France managed of 0.3 is the fewest by a nation in a semi-final tie in the competition since Brazil vs Sweden in 1994 (0.1).

Duels were another separator. Spain won 56% of all duels and dominated in the air, taking 17 of 25 aerials. Spain also piled up 22 tackles to France’s 14 and doubled the clearances count at 22 to 11. Recoveries leaned Spain too, 50 to 46, and the away side made zero errors leading to a shot, compared with two for France. In goal, Unai Simón made three saves, while Maignan finished with none recorded.

France carried plenty of territory. They had 44 final-third entries to Spain’s 36, produced 7 corners to 1, and recorded 20 touches in the penalty area to Spain’s 13. Long balls were a real weapon for France, completing 19 of 36 for 53%, far better than Spain’s 14 of 49. Crosses reached the box often too, 20 attempted by France, although only 4 found a teammate.

Player Spotlight: Porro Earns Man of the Match

Pedro Porro earned Player of the Match with a complete full-back display. His goal on 58 minutes was struck with assurance, part of a two-shot, one-on-target line. Beyond the finish, his work without the ball helped Spain see the match home. He produced three clearances, two tackles and one interception, while winning four duels and two aerials. On the ball he was clean, completing 23 of 28 passes, 10 of them in the opposition half.

He added nine ball carries and advanced play smartly. His positioning repeatedly blocked France’s wide routes and he read crosses well on a night when France attempted 20 of them. He made way on 84 minutes. Credit also to Dani Olmo for the assist and a strong connective role.

Rodri’s control was unmistakable. The captain led Spain with 68 passes, 59 accurate, won 11 duels and 4 aerials, drew 3 fouls and made four of his own as he set the midfield tempo. Next to him, Fabián Ruiz turned in 56 of 65 passes, created two key passes and tracked back for 7 recoveries and 4 tackles. That double pivot absorbed pressure when France tilted the field.

Behind them, Pau Cubarsí looked composed well beyond his years. He logged 29 of 32 passes, a last-man tackle, four clearances and went 2 of 2 on tackles. Aymeric Laporte added range and leadership with 70 of 76 passes and four clearances. On the flank, Marc Cucurella mixed bite with timing, winning 3 of 4 tackles and making a last-man tackle as well, even after an early yellow. Unai Simón’s three saves, one high claim and sharp sweeping were the finishing touches to a disciplined team card.

Individually for France, Ousmane Dembélé was one of the brighter sparks with two shots on target and a key pass. Désiré Doué came on and lifted France’s left side with two key passes, two shots and two tackles won. Aurélien Tchouaméni added control in midfield with 61 passes, 6 duels won and 4 tackles. Kylian Mbappé had a frustrating night, limited to three shots without one on target, three offsides and a late yellow. He failed to have a shot on target for only the second time across his last 15 FIFA World Cup appearances.

Spain Show They Still Have France’s Number

Spain have now lost just two of their last 11 meetings with France in all competitions, with this their third straight win, all of which have come at the semi-final stage of a tournament (2-1 win in Euro 2024 and 5-4 victory in the 2024-25 Nations League). Spain have reached their second FIFA World Cup final after 2010 when they won the tournament; that was also the last time the reigning UEFA European Championship holders reached the final.

Spain are the first European team ever to win eight consecutive knockout stage matches at major tournaments (World Cup/EURO). Spain are only the fourth team this century to reach a FIFA World Cup final without trailing in any of their matches after Argentina in 2014, Italy in 2006 and Germany in 2002.

Spain are the first team in FIFA World Cup history to keep six clean sheets at a single edition. Spain have equalled Italy’s run of 37 games between October 2018 and September 2021 for the joint-longest unbeaten streak by a European nation in history (both W28 D9). Among European nations to contest at least two, Spain have the best progression rate in major tournament semi-final ties (World Cup/EURO), progressing from seven of their eight (88%).

Oyarzabal took the headlines. Only David Villa (13), Álvaro Morata (10) and Fernando Torres (nine) have scored more goals at major tournaments for Spain than his seven, while no Spanish player has ever scored more goals at a single World Cup (five). Mikel Oyarzabal is the third Spanish player to score five goals at a single FIFA World Cup tournament after David Villa in 2010 and Emilio Butragueño in 1986. Since the start of 2025, he has had a hand in 24 goals across 19 appearances for La Roja in all competitions (17 goals, seven assists), 14 more than any other player.

Dani Olmo has the joint-most assists for Spain on record at major tournaments (World Cup/EURO – since 1980) along with Cesc Fàbregas (both 8) – he has scored (1) or assisted (2) in all three of his major semi-final appearances for La Roja. Pedro Porro is the second Spanish defender to score multiple goals in a single FIFA World Cup after Fernando Hierro (2 in both 2002 and 1998).

France’s Night of Frustration

As manager of France, Didier Deschamps has lost more games against Spain than any other nation (5). Deschamps, who took charge of his 26th World Cup match, the outright most of any manager, will not be bowing out as France boss with another World Cup. His side managed just 10 shots worth 0.3 expected goals, with only three of those on target.

It means that France have still never won a game at the finals when trailing at half-time (D1 L12) as Spain ensured they reached just their second final, having lifted the trophy in their first in 2010. Excluding penalties, this was just France’s second defeat in a FIFA World Cup knockout stage match across their last 23, along with a 1-0 loss to Germany in 2014 at the quarter-final stage. Across the last two FIFA World Cup tournaments, France have conceded the most penalties (6) and the most penalty goals (4 – excluding shootouts). France have failed to record a first half shot on target in three of their seven 2026 FIFA World Cup games.

What’s Next

Both teams split possession almost evenly, 51 to 49 for Spain, but the visitors picked better shots, won the physical battles and kept their box cleaner. France’s set piece count and sustained pressure could not overcome Spain’s duels advantage and error-free defending. In a semifinal, those margins matter. The AT&T Stadium crowd saw a controlled, grown-up performance from Spain.

Spain progress to the final where they will face either England or Argentina. La Roja will be looking to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.

Read More: Is There an Advantage to Going Second in the Penalty Shootout?

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