France’s Kylian Mbappe shows his frustration during a World Cup semifinal against Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Spain won, 2-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain players celebrate after they defeated France, 2-0, in a World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) defends the goal against Spain’s Alex Baena (15) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Spain’s Rodri (16) and France’s Michael Olise (11) battle for the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Spain’s Alex Baena plays the ball chased by France’s Dayot Upamecano during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (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. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain’s Dani Olmo heads the ball during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against France in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain’s Rodri (16) and France’s Michael Olise (11) vie for the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) collides with teammate Mikel Oyarzabal (21) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Spain’s Marc Cucurella, left, ad France’s Michael Olise vie for the ball during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
France’s Kylian Mbappe dribbles chased by Spain’s Aymeric Laporte during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente speaks to Spain’s Lamine Yamal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal controls the ball during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against France in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
France’s Jules Kounde (5) tries to stop Spain’s Alex Baena (15) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) makes a save over France’s Dayot Upamecano (4) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon catches a cross during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against France in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) fall during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain’s Pedro Porro scores his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Spain’s Pedro Porro, right, celebrates with Mikel Merino and Nico Williams, left, after scoring his team’s second goal during a World Cup semifinal against France on Tuesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Spain won, 2-0, to reach its second World Cup final. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
France’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) vie for the ballduring a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) makes a save against France’s Theo Hernandez (19) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Spain’s Fabian Ruiz controls the ball during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against France in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
France’s Lucas Digne, left, fights for the ball with Spain’s Lamine Yamal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
France’s Adrien Rabiot (14) and Spain’s Dani Olmo (10) go after the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) defends the net against France during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
France’s Kylian Mbappe shoots chased by Spain’s Pedro Porro during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain’s Ferran Torres, left, and France’s Theo Hernandez react during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
France’s Manu Kone (6) reacts after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) shake hands after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fans wait in the stands prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
France players applaud after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
France head coach Didier Deschamps leaves the pitch at the the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Fans wait for the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Players of France and Spain embrace ahead of their World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain fans cheer before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
France fans cheer before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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France’s Kylian Mbappe shows his frustration during a World Cup semifinal against Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Spain won, 2-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain’s defensive prowess and swagger were just too much for an attacking trio led by France great Kylian Mbappé, and just enough to get the 2010 champions into another World Cup final.
The Spanish team managed a record sixth shutout in seven games so far, winning 2-0 in the semifinals on Tuesday against one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup history.
Teenager Lamine Yamal certainly was correct when he said France should fear Spain. That despite FIFA’s top-ranked team being led by Mbappé – their captain with 20 goals in his 20 World Cup games before the semifinals – Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, who has a tournament-high five assists.
“We were up against one of the best national teams in the world, but today, they were facing the best team in the world,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a heady play by Yamal drew a foul, and Pedro Porro added another goal to put Spain in its second World Cup final.
A day after his 19th birthday, Yamal was denied a goal on a close offside call that came soon after Porro’s give-and-go with Dani Olmo in the 58th minute had put Spain ahead, 2-0. But it was Yamal’s smart play against a veteran defender that gave Spain the early lead.
Spain will face either defending champion Argentina or England on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the river from New York City.
“So difficult to get to this moment, but we want more,” Spain midfielder Rodri said. “We want to win this World Cup.”
After trying to become only the third team to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, France instead will play in the third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday.
“Spain has been able to defend well,” departing France coach Didier Deschamps said through a translator. “They’ve closed out all the spaces and also we’ve made some technical mistakes. So it is difficult to create problems when the technical level is below standard.”
Argentina and England play Wednesday at noon PT in Atlanta in the second powerhouse semifinal match.
This win on soccer’s biggest stage marked the third summer in a row that Spain beat France in a tournament semifinal. Yamal scored in a 2-1 win in the 2024 European Championship semifinals just days before his 17th birthday, and La Roja won, 5-4, in Nations League play last year.
Yamal was quick to point out that France should be concerned after Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Belgium in Inglewood set up another semifinal matchup.
“It’s a team who loves to have control of the game, control of the ball. That’s what we let them do,” said Mbappé, who got none of his three shots on target. “It’s difficult when you don’t change the play of Spain.”
Spain has outscored opponents 12-1 since a scoreless draw against surprising Cape Verde to open group play. The lone goal allowed by goalkeeper Unai Simón was in the quarterfinal game against Belgium that snapped his World Cup record of 650 scoreless minutes.
This World Cup run has extended Spain’s unbeaten streak in regular time to 37 matches (28 wins and nine draws) since March 2024. That broke the country’s previous record of 35 in a row from 2007-09.
The loss broke France’s record-matching streak of six consecutive World Cup wins, which the team also accomplished in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Oyarzabal’s penalty kick in the 22nd minute came after Yamal drew a foul when kicked by defender Lucas Digne.
After a poor first touch with his head, Digne was trying to clear the ball when Yamal raced in from behind to challenge in the penalty area. The ball hit off the elbow of the leaping teen before he was kicked by Digne, playing in his 63rd game for France only six days before his 33rd birthday.
Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of this year’s World Cup marked the first time either team had trailed in their seven games in this tournament. It was his 30th goal in 60 international games for Spain.
For the second goal, Porro broke free and received a pass back from Olmo, who got the touch just before getting knocked off his feet by defender Dayot Upamecano.
“We knew that we’re a very tough team, we’re doing things really well,” Porro said.
France allowed only two goals in its first six games in this tournament.
Spain had two other real scoring chances in the first half.
There was the a free kick from just beyond the box after Adrien Rabiot drew a yellow card for a foul on Olmo in the eighth minute. Alex Baena’s kick went directly into the wall of French players.
After France goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s attempted clearing pass in the 38th minute instead went straight to Baena, there were several quick passes before Fabian Ruiz’s close-range shot was denied on a nifty play by Upamecano.
Mbappé, who is tied with Argentina great Lionel Messi with a tournament-high eight goals and leads the race for the Golden Boot on the assist tiebreaker, still has the third-place match to add to his tally. Messi has two games left in his sixth World Cup to try to win the Golden Boot and also increase his overall record of 21 goals at the tournament.
“As the captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that,” Mbappé said. “We wanted to go to the final. We didn’t go.”