{"id":376905,"date":"2026-07-17T15:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/376905\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T15:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:12:17","slug":"world-cup-spain-shuts-down-mbappe-france-to-reach-final-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/376905\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup: Spain shuts down Mbapp\u00e9, France to reach final \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"France's<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Michael Olise, left, and Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) defends the goal against Spain\u2019s Alex Baena (15) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jessica Tobias)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) and France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Alex Baena plays the ball chased by France\u2019s Dayot Upamecano during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) and France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Marc Cucurella, left, ad France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe dribbles chased by Spain\u2019s Aymeric Laporte during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente speaks to Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Jules Kounde (5) tries to stop Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) makes a save over France\u2019s Dayot Upamecano (4) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jessica Tobias)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal and France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe (10) fall during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro scores his team\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro, right, celebrates with Mikel Merino and Nico Williams, left, after scoring his team\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Aurelien Tchouameni and Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) makes a save against France\u2019s Theo Hernandez (19) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jessica Tobias)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Lucas Digne, left, fights for the ball with Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Adrien Rabiot (14) and Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe shoots chased by Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s Ferran Torres, left, and France\u2019s Theo Hernandez react during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain\u2019s<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France\u2019s<\/p>\n

France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spain<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 43<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer<\/p>\n

ARLINGTON, Texas \u2014 Spain\u2019s defensive prowess and swagger were just too much for an attacking trio led by\u00a0France great Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, and just enough to get the 2010 champions into another\u00a0World Cup\u00a0final.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Teenager Lamine Yamal certainly was correct when he said France should fear Spain. That despite FIFA\u2019s top-ranked team being led by Mbapp\u00e9 \u2013 their captain with 20 goals in his 20 World Cup games before the semifinals \u2013 Ballon d\u2019Or winner Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and Michael Olise, who has a tournament-high five assists.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were up against one of the best national teams in the world, but today, they were facing the best team in the world,\u201d Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

A day after his 19th birthday, Yamal was denied a goal on a close offside call that came soon after Porro\u2019s give-and-go with Dani Olmo in the 58th minute had put Spain ahead, 2-0<\/a>. But it was Yamal\u2019s smart play against a veteran defender that gave Spain the early lead.<\/p>\n

Spain will face either defending champion Argentina or England on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the river from New York City.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo difficult to get to this moment, but we want more,\u201d Spain midfielder Rodri said. \u201cWe want to win this World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpain has been able to defend well,\u201d\u00a0departing France coach Didier Deschamps\u00a0said through a translator. \u201cThey\u2019ve closed out all the spaces and also we\u2019ve made some technical mistakes. So it is difficult to create problems when the technical level is below standard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Argentina and England play Wednesday at noon PT in Atlanta in the second powerhouse semifinal match.<\/p>\n

This win on soccer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Yamal was quick to point out that France should be concerned after Spain\u2019s quarterfinal victory over Belgium in Inglewood set up another semifinal matchup.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a team who loves to have control of the game, control of the ball. That\u2019s what we let them do,\u201d said Mbapp\u00e9, who got none of his three shots on target. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult when you don\u2019t change the play of Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spain has outscored opponents 12-1 since a\u00a0scoreless draw against surprising Cape Verde\u00a0to open group play. The lone goal allowed by goalkeeper\u00a0Unai Sim\u00f3n\u00a0was in the quarterfinal game against Belgium that snapped his World Cup record of 650 scoreless minutes.<\/p>\n

This World Cup run has extended Spain\u2019s unbeaten streak in regular time to 37 matches (28 wins and nine draws) since March 2024. That broke the country\u2019s previous record of 35 in a row from 2007-09.<\/p>\n

The loss broke France\u2019s record-matching streak of six consecutive World Cup wins, which the team also accomplished in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.<\/p>\n

Oyarzabal\u2019s penalty kick in the 22nd minute came after Yamal drew a foul when kicked by defender Lucas Digne.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Oyarzabal\u2019s fifth goal of this year\u2019s World Cup marked the first time either team had trailed in their seven games in this tournament<\/a>. It was his 30th goal in 60 international games for Spain.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew that we\u2019re a very tough team, we\u2019re doing things really well,\u201d Porro said.<\/p>\n

France allowed only two goals in its first six games in this tournament.<\/p>\n

Spain had two other real scoring chances in the first half.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s kick went directly into the wall of French players.<\/p>\n

After France goalkeeper Mike Maignan\u2019s attempted clearing pass in the 38th minute instead went straight to Baena, there were several quick passes before Fabian Ruiz\u2019s close-range shot was denied on a nifty play by Upamecano.<\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9, 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that,\u201d Mbapp\u00e9 said. \u201cWe wanted to go to the final. We didn\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"France’s Kylian Mbappe shows his frustration during a World Cup semifinal against Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":376906,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151,731,154,29003],"class_list":["post-376905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arlington","tag-arlington","tag-arlington-headlines","tag-arlington-news","tag-soccer","tag-sports","tag-world-cup-2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=376905"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376905\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/376906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=376905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=376905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=376905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}