Spain Shuts Out France 2-0, Advances to World Cup Final in Dallas Stadium’s Last Match

Dallas Stadium’s World Cup run ends the way it deserved to - with Spain going to the final.

The Roja dispatched France 2-0 on Tuesday afternoon in the first semifinal of the 2026 World Cup, sending Spain to New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 with their unbeaten run intact and their defense having now conceded only one goal in seven matches. France, for all of their tournament dominance coming in, never truly threatened, with their first shot on target not coming until the 81st minute.

Both sides spent the opening 15 minutes feeling one another out before Spain broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. On a ball that Lucas Digne was attempting to clear out, he accidentally caught a run from Lamine Yamal, and got nothing but the teenager. Mikel Oyarzbal converted the game’s first goal easily.

Spain doubled it at the hour mark on a goal that summed up exactly why they’re in the final. Dani Olmo picked up the ball at the top of the penalty area, drew a foul in the moment where he laid the ball off to the run of Pedro Porro. The referee waved play on as Porro put away the game’s second goal.

France pushed late but had nothing that truly tested Unai Simon. Desire Doué forced a save from Simon when the Spanish keeper was caught far off his goal line. Aside from that, it was all Spain who are now through to the final.

Key Moments

20’ - PENALTY! An awkward miss-touch by Digne. He catches Yamal instead with his full boot and the center official immediately points to the spot. Digne was looking to clear the ball but got Yamal instead.

22’ - GOAL! Spain takes the lead with a penalty kick from Mikel Oyarzabal. No stutter steps, just a straight blast into the goal.

38’ - Big chance by Spain! A clever layoff by Yamal back to Ruiz who nearly gets on the end of it inside the six yard box for a second goal. But it is blocked out to safety.

58’ - GOAL! Spain gets a second on the day with. Pedro Porro sneaks through while France was wanting a foul at the top of the penalty box.

61’ - Offside! Yamal nearly gets his goal but after an excellent play to score a goal, he is whistled offside.

82’ - Chance for France! Simon gets caught out of his goal. Doué gets the ball from 40 yards out but his attempt is weak as Simon gets enough on it.

90+5 - One more for France but it isn’t enough to best Simon.

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Instant Reaction

Once Spain got the early penalty kick, it seemed like France was going to always struggle to chase this game. Their lack of midfield ability to find quality service into Mbappé really shined through as the afternoon wore on. Spain was content on controlling the game, while France struggled to come up with anything of note offensively for the first time in this tournament.

This was not the France I expected, but it was the Spanish team I saw a few days back against Portugal. Ruthless. Tactical. Damn good.

Man of the Match

Let’s go with Porro, who scored the insurance goal that Spain needed to ice this game.

What’s next for both squads

Spain will now move on to the World Cup final in New York on Sunday, while France will head to Miami to play in the Third Place match on Saturday.

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