Spain qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in the first early Wednesday. Luis de la Fuente’s side combined their trademark control in possession with defensive discipline to keep Kylian Mbappe and France at bay.
Mikel Oyarzabal gave Spain the lead from the penalty spot in the first half after Lamine Yamal won a spot-kick. France responded with desperation but failed to break Spain’s defence.
Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage midway through the second half, finishing a flowing move after a clever Dani Olmo assist to put the result beyond doubt. Spain will now face the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina, while France drop into the third-place playoff.
Here are the lineups for the match.
France: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappe.
Spain: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Álex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal.
They’re ready. Are you? 🇫🇷👀🇪🇸#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 14, 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Semi Finals | France vs Spain | HIGHLIGHTS
2.42 am: Live updates to this match have ended.
2.30 am: FULL TIME. Spain tames France, wins 2-0
Spain outclass France 2-0 to book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they will face the winner of England vs Argentina.
SPAIN IS IN THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL 🔥🇪🇸#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/u9IuDYBWWK
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 14, 2026
2.20 am: Mbappe fails to find target
Doue is fouled just at the edge of the penalty box. Mbappe steps up to take the shot. He goes over the wall, but fails to dip at the right time. It goes over the crossbar.
2.13 am: Doue with a BIG CHANCE!
Mbappe goes 1-on-1 with Simon, who comes off the line to clear the ball. However, the ball falls for Doue with the goalkeeper off his line. He tries to go for the goal from distance, but a poor shot which hits straight at the goalkeeper at the edge of the penalty box.
2.10 am: Ferran Torres fails to find the net
A delightful chip in cross from the left flank was headed by Torres. He outjumped his marker to meet the ball, but could not hit the target. Still 2-0.
2.04 am: Tactical subs for France
Digne and Olise make way for Hernandez and Cherki. A tactical substitution for France.
1.59 am: Mbappe fires it wide
Mbappe desperately tries to pull one back for France. He shoots, but it goes wide after a little deflection.
1.56 am: SAVED by Simon
Mbappe tries to go solo. He fires it with his weaker foot, but Simon has his near-post covered. Corner for France.
1.50 am: GOAL! Porro makes it 2-0
Olmo with a lovely little one-touch knock-off, which gives Porro a clear 1-on-1 chance. He keeps his calm and slots it inside the net to make it 2-0 for France. Porro came into the tournament with zero goals for Spain. Now, he has two, and both of them are scored in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Pedro Porro goal in France vs Spain FIFA World Cup Semifinal game
pic.twitter.com/SawI4pyiWs
— Daily Foot Vibes (@dailyfootvibes) July 14, 2026
1.21 am: Half-time. Spain take 1-0 lead into the break
Spain head into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead after a composed first-half display, while France will need a stronger second half to keep their World Cup final hopes alive.
𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 🫡
Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal is the difference so far, after Lamine Yamal won the penalty 💪 pic.twitter.com/VJxrs6BWEF
— 433 (@433) July 14, 2026
1.17 am: France looks desperate to draw level
France are pushing hard in search of an equaliser, but Spain continue to hold firm at the back.
1.07 am: Beautiful football from Spain
Spain tries the tiki-taka one-touch game near the opposition D-box. A slick through ball to Yamal, who cuts in to Ruiz, who tries to flick it inside the net. BUT it goes WIDE! A treat to the eyes. Spain is dominating the match.
1.04 am: Offside.
Baena tries to deceive the defender and run past him. He reaches the ball and flicks it just wide. BUT, the flag is up. Would not have been counted.
1.00 am: BIG BLOW FOR FRANCE!
Saliba limps off the pitch, making way for Lacroix. The French defence has been breached, now it looks a bit shaky!
12.52 am: OYARZABAL MAKES IT 1-0
Oyarzabal calmly fires it home from the spot. Spain takes the lead. GAME ON!
LAMINE YAMAL DRAWS THE PEN AND OYARZABAL SCORES IT TO PUT SPAIN AHEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Unw5FbLaKI
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 14, 2026
12.50 am: PENALTY for Spain!
12.45 am: Solid counter-attack from France
A brilliant lofted through ball by Dembele to Mbappe, who tries to go past three defenders but fails. He passes it back to Dembele, who fires it in for a low cross to Barcola. The left winger passes it to Olise inside the box. Olise tries to take the shot, but hits straight at the defender. Corner!
12.36 am: Corner for France
Barcola with a lovely flick to run ahead of his defender. He tries to cross the ball inside the penalty box from the left flank, but the ball hits straight at the defender. CORNER for France.
12.30 am: Kick off! France and Spain begin blockbuster World Cup semi-final
The first semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway as France and Spain battle for a place in Monday’s final.