1 of 5 | Spain winger Lamine Yamal (L) is challenged by France’s Maxence Lacroix in the second half of a 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
Spain defenders made France’s previously potent attack appear pedestrian, shutting out the World Cup favorites Tuesday to advance to the 2026 finale.
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal and defender Pedro Porro found the net in the 2-0 triumph in Arlington, Texas. Spain goalie Unai Simon logged three saves to become the first goalie in World Cup history to secure six clean sheets in the same tournament.
“Today, we were facing the one of the best squads in the world,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on the Fox broadcast. “But in front of them, they faced the best team in the world.
“That’s the difference. That’s a big plus. These players deserve everything.”
The top-ranked Spaniards will meet No. 3 Argentina, the defending champions, or No. 4 England in the 2026 World Cup Final at 3 p.m. EDT Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Spaniards are set to appear in their second finale. They won their lone title with a 1-0 triumph over the Netherlands in 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Spain out-passed France 500-472 in Tuesday’s semifinal. The World Cup semifinalists unleashed 10 shots apiece. The Spaniards held a slight 51% to 49% advantage in possession.
Oyarzabal drew first blood for Spain with a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. The attempt came after a foul committed by left back Lucas Digne on winger Lamine Yamal.
Oyarzabal ripped his shot into the upper right portion of the net, beating French goalie Mike Maignan. The Spaniards continued to contain the Kylian Mbappe-led French attack. Meanwhile, the French defense lost starter William Saliba to an injury in the 30th minute.
Spain nearly doubled its lead with a beautiful passing sequence less than 10 minutes later, but failed to finish. Simon eliminated an Mbappe chance when he came out of the goal and cleared a breakaway from the Real Madrid star’s feet in the 42nd minute.
Simon continued to stay aggressive, swiping the ball away from French stars as they threatened his net in the second half. His teammates provided insurance when they doubled the lead in the 58th minute.
Porro started that play by sending a pass above the box for Dani Olmo. The midfielder used his first touch to lead Porro into the box. Porro, who slithered behind France’s back line after releasing his initial feed, touched twice inside the box and finished with a right-footed strike past Maignan.
Yamal curled in a left-footed shot past Maignan in the 61st minute, but that goal was disallowed due to an offside call. Mbappe connected for several close attempts down the stretch, but could not beat Simon. He received a yellow card for a late challenge on the Athletic goalie in the 86th minute.
Simon picked up his final save with a block of forward Ousmane Dembele in the 97th minute. Seconds later, Mbappe’s final attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Argentina will meet England in the second semifinal at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Atlanta. The loser from that game will face France in the third-place meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Fans go all out in support at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Fans celebrate the first United States goal as the United States faces Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the FIFA Fan Zone area located on the National Mall in Washington on July 6, 2026. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
