Oyarzabal, Porro goals help La Roja win 2-0 and reach summit clash
Spain delivered a tactically disciplined performance to defeat France 2-0 and book a place in their first World Cup final since 2010.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the box, before Pedro Porro doubled the lead shortly after the break with a composed finish following a clever exchange with Dani Olmo.
France struggled to find rhythm against Spain’s organised press and possession-based approach. Kylian Mbappé was kept quiet throughout, failing to register a shot on target as La Roja dictated the tempo and limited Les Bleus to few clear opportunities.
Spain’s control was reflected in the numbers, with France generating just 0.3 expected goals (xG) and rarely testing Unai Simón. Yamal nearly added a third goal but was denied by an offside flag.
The win extended Spain’s recent dominance over France, marking a third consecutive victory over Les Bleus in major tournament semi-finals. It also preserved their unbeaten run and sent the
European champions into only the second World Cup final in their history.
Long live Spain!
Spain’s march to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has captured the imagination of a nation, with sporting icons Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz joining the celebrations after La Roja’s 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals.
The win secured only Spain’s second appearance in a World Cup final and sparked an outpouring of support from across the country as Luis de la Fuente’s side moved within one victory of lifting football’s biggest prize.
Nadal was among the first to congratulate the team, posting on social media: “To the World Cup final! Congratulations, Spain!” The 22-time Grand Slam champion hailed La Roja’s achievement as Spain booked a showdown against either Argentina or England.
Fellow tennis star Carlos Alcaraz also shared in the celebrations, posting a simple but passionate message: “Long live Spain!”
The tributes extended beyond the sporting world, with Spain’s Royal Family praising the team’s achievement.
In a message on social media, the Royal Household congratulated the squad and urged them to complete their journey, saying the entire country would be behind them as they chase a second world title.
