Spain secures World Cup final spot after masterclass against France

By Brian Otieno — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Spain has advanced to the World Cup final after a 2-0 victory over France in a semi-final match held in Dallas on Tuesday. The win marks Spain’s second appearance in a World Cup final, following a performance that left many surprised by France’s defeat.

France, considered by many to be overwhelming favourites after a strong tournament run, was unable to match Spain’s control and tactical execution. Despite having players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, France managed only three attempts on target.

Spain, the reigning European champions, extended their unbeaten streak to 37 matches, equalling a record in international football. This impressive run includes keeping clean sheets in six of their seven tournament games.

Dominant Performance and Key Goals

Spain’s victory was secured with goals in each half. The first came from a penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal, awarded after a foul on Lamine Yamal. The second goal was a confident finish by Pedro Porro, who expressed his joy at reaching the final, calling it “a dream come true.”

Porro, a defender for Tottenham, highlighted the team’s collective effort, stating, “It’s a dream come true… We knew (France) was a very, very tough team, one that had been doing things really well, and honestly, this is the team’s achievement, not mine at all.”

Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton, who attended the match, noted that Spain “outfought and outplayed this French team.” Roy Keane, another Premier League winner, observed that France appeared to be playing as individuals rather than a cohesive unit.

France’s Malo Gusto was an unused substitute in the match, concluding his World Cup campaign with four appearances, all from the bench. He is expected to feature in the third-place play-off.

Spain’s tactical approach was praised by experts. French World Cup winner Patrick Vieira commented on Spain’s dominance in “every single aspect,” particularly their ability to tactically neutralise Olise. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague described Spain’s performance as a “brilliant collective display” that demonstrated control over all phases of the game.

De la Fuente’s Leadership and Team Cohesion

Under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain has achieved significant success, including a Nations League triumph in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory. His appointment in December 2022 was initially met with some skepticism, given his background with the nation’s youth teams.

However, De la Fuente has guided Spain to the World Cup final, providing an emphatic response to any doubters. He stated that his players deserved to be in the final due to their “effort, talent, sacrifice, trying to be a better version of ourselves.”

Many of the current squad members, including Mikel Merino, Rodri, and Unai Simon, have played under De la Fuente in various youth categories, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion. Balague highlighted this long-standing connection, noting that these players “got to know each other, formed a family, and that feeling of being better together than individually is in their DNA.”

De la Fuente also revealed he received a phone call from King Felipe VI after the match, underscoring the significance of the team’s achievement.

Looking Ahead to the Final

Spain will now prepare for the World Cup final on Sunday, where they will face the winner of the semi-final match between Argentina and England. De la Fuente expressed no preference for their opponent, acknowledging England as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Balague suggested that the final would likely follow a similar pattern, with Spain maintaining possession. He also remarked that the team that played on Tuesday, referring to Spain, might be the eventual World Cup winner.

France, meanwhile, will compete in the third-place play-off against the losing semi-finalist.

Spain’s journey to the final has been marked by resilience, including a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their opening match and late winners against Portugal and Belgium in the knockout stages. However, their performance against France demonstrated a comprehensive control, securing their spot in the final with a 2-0 victory.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, while the third-place play-off will take place on Saturday.

Source: bbc.com