Spain’s Pedro Porro reacts after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
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France’s Kylian Mbappe reacts during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
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Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) scores their first goal on a penalty kick past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
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Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scores from the penalty spot the opening goal during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Julio Cortez/AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scores the opening goal from the penalty spot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Ashley Landis/AP Photo/Ashley Landis
France’s Michael Olise, left, and Spain’s Marc Cucurella vie for the ball Michael Oliseduring a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Julio Cortez/AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Spain’s Pedro Porro (12) scores their second goal as France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) defends during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
David J. Phillip/AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Spain’s Borja Iglesias (26) celebrates with Rodri, center, after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
David J. Phillip/AP Photo/David J. Phillip
ARLINGTON — Spain is moving further away from “fury” and closer to composure. Once nicknamed the “Red Fury” — back when the team was not accustomed to rubbing shoulders with the global football elite — the Spanish national team delivered a true masterclass in tactics and ball control to advance to the World Cup final.
Under the watchful eyes of the champions who delivered Spain’s only title in South Africa in 2010, the team triumphed 2–0 over tournament favorite France on Tuesday. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro added a goal in the 58th, putting the team just one step away from a second crown. The decisive match is scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., against the winner of Wednesday’s game between Argentina and England in Atlanta.
ARGENTINA VS. ENGLAND: A new chapter in old rivalry
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Former goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defenders Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, and midfielder Xavi — heroes of that South Africa campaign — must have been delighted by the footballing display and ball control shown by their successors in the “La Roja” squad.
The tactical setup devised by coach Luis de la Fuente completely stifled the dangerous French attackers. Starved of clear service from midfield, they were left looking like children with no presents on their birthdays.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling right now, but I imagine it must be something akin to happiness. I feel pride in managing such an exceptional group of players. We still want to keep improving; there is one more step to take. We are going to try to achieve it,” de la Fuente said.
Spain’s pressing game at times suffocated the 2022 World Cup runners-up, who rarely found a good outlet for the ball. Michael Olise — the key playmaker who had made the difference leading up to the semifinal — barely managed to get into the game. Kylian Mbappé — with eight goals, one of the tournament’s top scorers alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi — and Ousmane Dembélé found themselves even more isolated.
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Mbappé, 27, ended the tournament one goal shy of the Argentine captain’s record of 21 in World Cup history.
In a first half featuring few dangerous chances, left back Lucas Digne made a clumsy attempt to clear the ball inside his own penalty area just as young forward Lamine Yamal charged in from the right flank to meet it. Salvadoran referee Iván Barton awarded a penalty, and Oyarzabal struck a powerful, confident left-footed shot past goalkeeper Mike Maignan to open the scoring.
Spain’s dominance grew in the second half. Although the final possession statistics were relatively close — 51% for Spain and 49% for France — the real difference was in what the teams did with the ball: The reigning European champions completed 487 passes compared with France’s 408.
Rodri, who had delivered excellent performances throughout the tournament, once again commanded the midfield. He was supported by a solid defense — featuring a superlative display from Pau Cubarsí — and by Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo, who constantly moved and rotated to keep the ball circulating.
The second goal arrived just as France was beginning to feel the pressure of the scoreline. Porro surged up the right flank and played a low pass to Olmo, who returned the ball into open space — a perfectly executed one-two, even as the skillful midfielder was brought down by defender Dayot Upamecano. Porro finished calmly past an overwhelmed Maignan, and Spain, maintaining control, effectively sealed the match.
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There was still time for a Yamal goal to be disallowed for offside, followed by increasingly desperate attempts from Didier Deschamps’ team. However, they failed to truly trouble the reliable Unai Simón — another standout performer who has conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament.
Spain left the pitch celebrating with its supporters, satisfied that it had accomplished its mission. It has already become a thorn in France’s side in decisive matches and now confidently awaits the winner of the Argentina-England game.
“Reaching the World Cup final is a tremendous responsibility,” de la Fuente said. “It’s a privilege — something reserved for the chosen few. You have to let it all sink in. Thinking back to when we started four years ago with a vision… We’ve stayed true to it, and it has brought us this far. I’m proud.”