Spain sweep past France into a first final since 2010
Spain beat France 2-0 at AT&T Stadium to reach their first World Cup final since their triumph in 2010. Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty and a Pedro Porro strike settled the “final before the final,” Spain dominant throughout for a third successive summer knockout win over France.
How it unfolded: Oyarzabal and Porro decisive
Lamine Yamal, on his 18th birthday, won a penalty that Oyarzabal converted on 22 minutes — his fifth of the tournament — as France trailed for the first time in seven games. Porro doubled it on 58, and Unai Simon kept a sixth clean sheet as Mbappe was kept quiet.
Context: a Spanish stranglehold
Spain's sixth clean sheet underlines their run under Luis de la Fuente, with Yamal the spark. France, the top-ranked side and pre-tournament favourites, are out at the semi-final stage and must settle for a third-place playoff.
The next step: Spain meet Argentina in the final
Spain reach a final with Argentina on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Our forecast of France to avoid defeat missed, Spain winning comfortably; only the under 2.5 goals read landed.
France hold a narrow home edge between two unbeaten favourites, needing only to avoid a 90-minute defeat to reach extra time; the double chance is the measured play.
Back this tip
Win 152%
France to win
2.39 odds
Total:Under: 2.554%
Under 2.5 goals
1.93 odds
Total Team 2 Under: 1.553%
Spain under 1.5 goals
1.46 odds
France face Spain at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in a semi-final many see as the tournament's headline act — two unbeaten sides and, arguably, its two finest teams. France, under Didier Deschamps, boast Kylian Mbappe level with Messi in the Golden Boot race and arrived by beating Morocco 2-0 in a 2022 semi-final rematch. Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, revolve around the teenage brilliance of Lamine Yamal and edged Belgium through Mikel Merino's latest late winner. Expect fine margins between two ball-dominant, deep squads. Our forecast favours France to avoid defeat, with a draw heading to extra time.
France — recent matches
09 Jul 2026Morocco2 — 0W
04 Jul 2026Paraguay1 — 0W
30 Jun 2026Sweden3 — 0W
26 Jun 2026Norway4 — 1W
22 Jun 2026Iraq3 — 0W
Spain — recent matches
10 Jul 2026Belgium2 — 1W
06 Jul 2026Portugal1 — 0W
02 Jul 2026Austria3 — 0W
27 Jun 2026Uruguay1 — 0W
21 Jun 2026Saudi Arabia4 — 0W
05.06.2025SpainvsFrance5 — 4
09.07.2024SpainvsFrance2 — 1
10.10.2021SpainvsFrance1 — 2
28.03.2017FrancevsSpain0 — 2
23.06.2012SpainvsFrance2 — 0
Key Players
France
Kylian MbappéSTReal Madrid · 85+ caps · 51 G · Captain
Antoine GriezmannAMAtlético · 135+ caps · 44 G
Aurélien TchouaméniCDMReal Madrid · 35+ caps
Ousmane DembéléRWPSG · 50+ caps · 6 G
William SalibaCBArsenal · 20+ caps
Spain
Lamine YamalRWBarcelona · 20+ caps · 7 G
Nico WilliamsLWBarcelona · 25+ caps
PedriCMBarcelona · 30+ caps
RodriCDMMan City · 60+ caps
Álvaro MorataSTComo · 80+ caps · 36 G · Captain
Injuries
France
None reported
Spain
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
AT&T Stadium's retractable roof is expected to stay shut against the Texas summer, air-conditioning the arena and removing heat as a variable.
France
0–2
Spain
