NEW YORK (The Thursday Times) — Spain reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France, scoring in each half and keeping a clean sheet against one of the tournament favourites. Goals in the 22nd and 58th minutes settled a semi-final in which France created the greater volume of chances but were repeatedly denied, sending Spain through to the final on 19 July.
Match stats
- Final score: France 0-2 Spain
- Spain goals: 22nd minute, 58th minute
- Possession: Spain 51%, France 49%
- Shots total: France 14, Spain 10
- Shots on target: France 4, Spain 2
- Saves: Unai Simon 4
Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute and never relinquished control of the tie, despite France enjoying almost exactly half of the possession and registering more shots across the ninety minutes. France, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola in attack, pressed for an opening but found Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón in commanding form, making four saves to preserve his clean sheet. A second Spanish goal in the 58th minute doubled the lead and forced France to chase the game.
France responded with a triple change and threw forward numbers in the closing half hour, but Spain’s defence, marshalled by Aymeric Laporte and the emerging Pau Cubarsí, held firm. France’s 14 shots yielded only four on target, and Spain saw out the match with the composure that has characterised their run to the final. The result ends France’s campaign at the semi-final stage and denies Mbappé a place in the showpiece.
Spain, unbeaten through the tournament, now advance to the World Cup final on 19 July, where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final. Their route to the final has included victories over Portugal, Belgium and now France, three of Europe’s strongest sides, in the knockout rounds. For a Spain side blending experienced figures such as Rodri and Laporte with the youth of Lamine Yamal and Cubarsí, a place in the final caps a formidable campaign.
