Spain 2 – 0 France

Match Report

France arrived as the hot favorite to win the World Cup, chasing a third straight World Cup final appearance. Their much heralded forward line was being hyped as perhaps the best ever, perhaps even better than the Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo attack of Brazil's 2002 champions. But alas, they leave having been comprehensively outplayed by an absolute masterclass by Spain. Spain controlled this semifinal from the opening whistle, and the breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute in genuinely bizarre fashion: Lucas Digne, under pressure and clearing with a poor first touch off his head, was challenged from behind by Lamine Yamal — the ball clipped Yamal's elbow before Digne, chasing back, kicked the teenager in the box. Referee Iván Arcides Barton Cisneros pointed to the spot, and Mikel Oyarzabal was cool, calm, and collected, slotting it into the top right corner for a 1-0 lead — his fifth goal of the tournament and the 30th of his international career. It is amazing how such a fantastic performer just seems to constantly fly under the radar.

It was the first time either team had trailed at any point across their combined seven matches this World Cup, and France never recovered their footing. In fact, it probably felt more like a Spanish inquisition for the French team. Spain doubled the lead in the 58th minute when Pedro Porro combined in a give-and-go with Dani Olmo and side-footed past Maignan — and Yamal almost had a third moments later, only to be denied by a close offside call. Rodri controlled the game from midfield throughout, Fabián Ruiz was everywhere and Dani Olmo was silky smooth. By its own captain's admission afterward, France simply had no answer for it.

Didier Deschamps tried to change the game's shape, withdrawing Adrien Rabiot, who was on a yellow, at halftime and later introducing Désiré Doué and Manchester City's Ryan Cherki in search of an equalizer that never really looked like a possibility. There was a fleeting Doué chance, but that was not to be. The only real flashpoint left was Kylian Mbappé's frustration boiling over in the 86th minute, when he collided into Unai Simón as the goalkeeper bent to collect the ball, sending Simón to the turf and Mbappé into the referee's book. Spain saw out the remainder comfortably for a fully deserved 2-0 win.

Spain reached their first World Cup final since they won the tournament in 2010, and now await the winner of England vs Argentina. The Spaniards have now beaten France in a major tournament semifinal three summers running — Euro 2024 (2-1), the 2024-25 Nations League (5-4), and now this. Mbappé finishes the tournament with 8 goals, held scoreless here and staying level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot race heading into Wednesday's second semifinal. France's consolation is the third-place match on Saturday in Miami Gardens — they could collect a medal if they win, and if they do, they will have come 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the last three World Cups. Not so bad, although one way to look at it is that it portends a 4th place finish in 2030 😉

Match Timeline

• 22' ⚽
  GOAL (PEN) — Mikel Oyarzabal 🇪🇸. Lucas Digne kicks Yamal in the box after a scramble; Oyarzabal converts. Spain 1-0.
• 8' 🟨
  YELLOW CARD — Adrien Rabiot 🇫🇷. An early, mistimed challenge on Dani Olmo puts him on a booking just eight minutes in.
• 45' 🔒
  Half time: Spain 1-0 France. Spain in full control; France yet to register a clear chance.
• 46' 🔄
  Adrien Rabiot withdrawn at the break. Already on a yellow from the 8th minute, Deschamps takes no chances and brings him off at the interval.
• 58' ⚽
  GOAL — Pedro Porro 🇪🇸 (ast. Dani Olmo). A give-and-go with Olmo, side-footed past Maignan. Spain 2-0.
• 59' 🚫
  Yamal goal disallowed. A close offside call rules out what would have been a third for Spain, moments after Porro's strike.
• 70s' 🔄
  Désiré Doué and Ryan Cherki introduced. Deschamps searches for an equalizer that never materializes.
• 86' 🟨
  YELLOW CARD — Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷. Collides into Unai Simón as the keeper collects the ball. Frustration boiling over with the game already lost.
• FT 🏆
  Full time. Spain 2-0 France. Spain reach the final for the first time since 2010; France's bid for a 3rd straight final ends at the semifinal.

What They Said

Match Stats

• Final ScoreSpain 2-0 France
• ScorersOyarzabal 22' (pen), Porro 58'
• Disallowed goalYamal 59' (offside)
• Yellow cardsRabiot 8', Mbappé 86'
• RefereeIván Arcides Barton Cisneros
• Golden Boot after matchMessi 8 = Mbappé 8
• Spain's run vs France3 straight tournament SF wins
• Finalvs Argentina/England, Jul 19, MetLife Stadium

Confirmed Lineups

🇪🇸 Spain (4-2-3-1)

Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.

🇫🇷 France (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappé.

Player Ratings

MOTM

Pedro Porro 🇪🇸

Commanding at both ends — a threat bombing forward from right-back all afternoon, capped by his own decisive goal off a give-and-go with Dani Olmo. Spain's most complete performer on the night Spain booked their return to a World Cup final.