[2026 World Cup] "Ironclad Defense" Spain Shuts Down France's Attack... Reaches Final After 16 Years

Oyarzabal Opens Scoring, Porro Adds Another in 2–0 Victory
Only One Goal Conceded in Seven Matches
Spain Avenges 20-Year Wait in Rematch

The “Invincible Armada” Spain has reached the FIFA World Cup final for the first time in 16 years, since their maiden title at the 2010 South Africa tournament, after defeating “Art Soccer” France in a highly anticipated World Cup encounter between the two nations for the first time in 20 years.

On July 15 (Korean time), Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinals of the 2026 North-Central America World Cup held at the Dallas Stadium in the United States. Spain will face the winner of the Argentina vs. England match in the final, scheduled for 4 a.m. on July 20 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States.

Spain’s solid defense neutralized France’s powerful attack. France, led by Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele up front, had recorded six straight wins in the tournament and scored 16 goals in regulation, the most among all participating teams. In contrast, Spain allowed only one goal over six matches with a record of five wins and one draw.

This was only the second meeting between the two teams in World Cup finals history. The first encounter was in the Round of 16 at the 2006 Germany World Cup, when France, led by Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, came from behind to defeat Spain 3-1.

However, Spain had beaten France in both the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinals and last year’s UEFA Nations League semifinals. By winning this World Cup finals clash, their first in 20 years, Spain avenged the defeat of 2006.

Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a penalty kick in the 22nd minute of the first half. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

France threatened early, with Adrien Rabiot firing a left-footed shot in the 6th minute following a corner kick. However, for the next 30 minutes, France struggled to penetrate Spain’s defense, failing to add another shot.

Spain recorded their first shot in the 11th minute, when Alex Baena aimed directly from a free kick on the right outside the penalty box, but his attempt was blocked by the defensive wall.

Just before the hydration break in the 22nd minute, Spain won a penalty kick thanks to Lamine Yamal, who converted it into the opening goal.

As Marc Cucurella sent in a long cross from the left, French defender Lucas Digne tried to head the ball down inside the box and clear it, but Yamal rushed in from behind, reached the ball first with his shoulder, and Digne ended up kicking Yamal’s thigh instead of the ball. The referee awarded a penalty. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly converted, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament.

France managed only their second shot in the 36th minute, with Bradley Barcola firing a mid-range effort from outside the left of the penalty area, but it sailed well over the crossbar.

Pedro Poro of Spain is celebrating after scoring an additional goal in the 13th minute of the second half. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In the 38th minute, Yamal exchanged a brilliant one-two with Dani Olmo inside the penalty area and set up a chance for Fabian Ruiz, whose left-footed outside shot drifted wide to the right of the goal.

France missed a decisive opportunity in the 41st minute, when Rabiot’s incisive through ball nearly connected with Mbappe breaking into space behind the defense, but Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon sprinted out of the box to clear the danger.

France recorded just two shots in the first half, neither of which were on target. Mbappe himself did not have a single attempt before halftime. In terms of possession, Spain led with 55.5% in the first half.

Spain continued to dominate proceedings early in the second half. Although Yamal was caught offside in the 51st minute, he still produced a dangerous chance in front of the right post. A minute later, Oyarzabal attempted a left-footed shot from outside the area.

Keeping up the pressure, Spain scored a second goal in the 58th minute. Pedro Porro passed to Olmo in the center of the penalty box and then darted into space behind the defense. Olmo, tussling with the French defenders, managed to lay the ball off to Porro, who calmly finished in a one-on-one against the goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, Yamal received an exquisite through ball from Pau Cubarsi and found the net once again, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

France tried to inject more energy into their attack in the 63rd minute, with Mbappe breaking through to the opponent’s left byline and delivering a cross. Mbappe then had his first shot of the match in the 67th minute—a powerful right-footed effort from the left side of the penalty box—which deflected off Cucurella and went wide.

French player Kylian Mbappe shows a dejected expression after the defeat was confirmed. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

The momentum appeared to briefly shift to France, but Spain regained control following the hydration break and tactical substitutions. In the 78th minute, Ferran Torres managed a sharp header from the center of the box, but it struck wide of the left post.

France’s Desire Doue earned a free kick from outside the left of the penalty area in the 88th minute. Mbappe took the shot himself but sent it over the crossbar.

In stoppage time, Dembele finally had his first shot from the right of the penalty box, but his effort was directed straight at Simon. In a subsequent attack, Mbappe’s right-footed attempt from outside the box also missed high over the bar.

France recorded eight shots and three shots on target in the second half but failed to create any decisive chances. Unable to breach Spain’s goal, France missed out on a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.