Spain vs France 2026 World Cup Semifinal Score and Recap

Spain defeats France 2-0 to reach the 2026 World Cup final. A masterclass defense shuts down Mbappe to book a clash with Argentina.

Last updated: July 17, 2026

Spain is headed to the 2026 World Cup final after a dominant 2-0 win over France in Dallas, Texas. La Furia Roja put on a defensive clinic to completely shut down a star-studded French offense featuring Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half. Lamine Yamal drew a foul from Lucas Digne inside the penalty area. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly buried the penalty kick past Mike Maignan to give Spain a 1-0 lead. France failed to generate any momentum, failing to register a single shot on goal before halftime as Rodri completely controlled the midfield.

In the 58th minute, Spain doubled its lead. Pedro Porro burst into open space exposed by a lapse in the French defense and slotted home a clinical finish. Didier Deschamps tried to spark the offense by bringing on Manu Koné and Désiré Doué, but Spain’s backline remained unbreakable, securing the shutout and a spot in the final.

Spain will now face Argentina in the championship game. The South American powerhouse booked its ticket by defeating England in the other semifinal. The final showdown is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (2 p.m. Central Time). Spain is chasing its second World Cup title, its first since 2010.

Meanwhile, France must quickly reset for the third-place playoff against England on Saturday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. For Deschamps, it is a disappointing end to a tournament where his heavily favored squad simply couldn’t deliver when it mattered most.

Betting Pick: France vs Spain

The upcoming World Cup semi-final clash between France and Spain on July 14 is set to be a thrilling encounter, but the tactical matchup distinctly favors the French squad. France has been an absolute juggernaut in this tournament, fielding an explosive attack spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise. They currently lead the tournament in expected goals, big chances, and shots on target per match. Les Bleus have already netted 16 goals in six matches, displaying a lethal ability to score on rapid counter-attacks and direct plays.

On the other side, Spain has been brilliant at controlling the game’s tempo through their possession-heavy system. However, La Roja has struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities from individual moments, often relying on late, dramatic winners to scrape past Portugal and Belgium in the knockout rounds. Spain’s primary vulnerability lies in their defensive high line. Their slower center-back partnership, particularly Aymeric Laporte, will likely be terrorized by the blistering pace of France’s forwards. If Spain pushes their fullbacks up to overload the flanks, players like Olise will easily find Mbappe and Dembele in open space.

While Spain is undoubtedly a top-tier team, France’s ability to capitalize on single chances and their superior attacking depth off the bench gives them a clear edge. Because Spain’s defense looks susceptible to the specific style of play France executes best, Les Bleus are in a prime position to book their third consecutive World Cup final appearance.

My Wager: France to win in Regulation +130 on betonline

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