Spain Blank France 2-0 to Reach the World Cup Final
Spain produced a masterclass of control and finishing to beat France 2-0 and book a place in the MetLife final.
Dallas delivered a semi-final worthy of the last four. France arrived with knockout steel and Mbappe's threat in behind; Spain arrived with the same patient control that has defined their entire tournament.
La Roja never panicked. Pedri and the midfield dictated rest defence distances, Yamal stretched the right channel, and two moments of quality either side of half-time broke French resistance.
France threw everything forward in the final minutes but could not force a way back. Spain are World Cup finalists. France drop into the third-place play-off.
The stakes
A place in the 2026 World Cup final. The loser plays for bronze four days later.
The rivalry angle
Modern European football's two schools: French athleticism and vertical threat against Spanish positional control.
Players who could decide it
The teenage wide threat who continually broke France's last line.
France's outlet on the break and their best hope of a second goal.
Did you know?
- !Spain have not lost a knockout match in regulation time all tournament.
- !France were chasing a third straight World Cup final appearance.
- !AT&T Stadium hosted one of the highest-profile semi-finals of the expanded 48-team era.
Head to head
Recent meetings have been tight, tactical affairs where midfield control has usually decided the night.
