Spain defeats France 2-0 to reach World Cup final

Spain defeated France 2-0 in a World Cup semifinal on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, securing a place in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after France defender Lucas Digne fouled Spain teenager Lamine Yamal in the penalty area. Yamal, a day after his 19th birthday, drew the foul with his play as Digne attempted to clear the ball following an awkward bounce. Pedro Porro doubled Spain's lead in the 58th minute with a goal set up by a one-two with Dani Olmo.

Spain's performance neutralized France's attacking options. The French trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise created few chances, with France not registering a shot on goal until the closing minutes of the match. Spain's defense, which has allowed only one goal throughout the tournament, limited France's opportunities throughout.

The victory marks Spain's return to a World Cup final for the first time since 2010, when the team won the tournament. Spain will face either England or Argentina in the final; those teams meet in their semifinal on Wednesday.

Spain entered the match unbeaten in 36 official games. The victory extended that streak to 38 consecutive matches without defeat, surpassing Italy's previous record of 37 consecutive matches set between October 2018 and October 2021. Spain's unbeaten run began in June 2023 and has spanned official competitions including the Nations League, Euro 2024, World Cup qualifying matches, and the current World Cup.

Spain's manager Luis de la Fuente has now reached a World Cup final without losing a match in either the Euros or World Cup. De la Fuente's record across both tournaments stands at 14 consecutive matches without defeat. At Euro 2024, Spain won all seven matches it played, a feat no team had previously achieved in a single edition of that tournament. In the current World Cup, De la Fuente has guided Spain through seven matches to reach the final, including three group-stage games and four knockout matches against Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France.

Sixteen players from Spain's Euro 2024 championship squad remain on the World Cup roster. The squad includes goalkeepers Unai Simón and David Raya; defenders Alejandro Grimaldo, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella; midfielders Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo and Álex Baena; and forwards Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. Eight of the 11 starters from the Euro 2024 final are in the World Cup squad.

Spain is only the second team besides Germany to eliminate France before a World Cup final in nearly 70 years. Germany eliminated France in the semifinals in 1982, 1986 and 2014. France's previous elimination before a final came in 1958 when Brazil defeated the French team 5-2 in the semifinal.

Oyarzabal's goal was his fifth of the tournament. France entered the match having scored 16 goals in six games, but the Spanish defense prevented the French attack from creating meaningful opportunities.