The france vs spain results are in and they were stunning. Spain defeated France 2-0 on July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty, and Pedro Porro doubled the lead with a clinical second-half finish. For the third consecutive summer in a major tournament, Spain eliminated France leaving Kylian Mbappé and Didier Deschamps without a path to the title. Spain now marches into Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
France vs Spain Results at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final |
| Date | July 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| Score | France 0–2 Spain |
| Goal Scorers | Oyarzabal (22′ pen), Porro (58′) |
| Attendance | ~92,000 |
| Referee | Ivan Barton (El Salvador) |
| Next for Spain | World Cup Final vs England or Argentina |
| Next for France | Third-Place Play-Off, Miami |
How Did Spain Beat France? Full Match Report
First Half: Yamal Draws the Foul, Oyarzabal Takes the Lead
The france vs spain results were shaped decisively in the 22nd minute. Lamine Yamal celebrating his 19th birthday just one day earlier drove into the penalty area and was fouled by France left-back Lucas Digne. Referee Ivan Barton pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and sent Mike Maignan the wrong way, hammering the ball into the bottom corner. It was Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of the 2026 World Cup and his 30th in 60 international appearances for Spain. More significantly, it was the first time either team had trailed in this tournament.
France suffered a further blow moments later when centre-back William Saliba limped off with a recurrence of his lower back injury. Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix came on in his place, disrupting Deschamps’ defensive structure just when France needed stability most. Despite boasting a world-class attack featuring Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola, France managed zero shots on target in the entire first half and only two total attempts. In semi final France vs Spain, Spain give thier best performance and won the match.
Spain, meanwhile, went close to a second goal when Dayot Upamecano blocked a shot from Fabián Ruiz after some slick one-touch combination play. La Roja finished the first half with 56% possession and complete control.
Second Half: Porro Seals It, France Cannot Respond
Didier Deschamps made a change at the break, introducing Désiré Doué for Barcola in an attempt to inject pace and unpredictability into France’s attack. It made no difference. Just 58 minutes in, Spain scored again.
Pedro Porro played a perfectly weighted give-and-go with Dani Olmo on the right flank, collected the return pass, and side-footed the ball into the bottom corner past Maignan. It was a team goal of the highest quality sharp, purposeful, and devastating.
Spain nearly added a third when Yamal curled an effort into the net from close range, but the linesman’s flag cut celebrations short. France pushed late but could not break down the Spanish backline. Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí were exceptional throughout, restricting a French attack that had scored 16 goals in their first six games to just 0.3 expected goals (xG) from 10 shots three of which tested Unai Simón.
The full-time whistle confirmed the france vs spain results: Spain 2, France 0.
Spain vs France: Full Lineups
Spain Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Unai Simón
- RB: Pedro Porro
- CB: Pau Cubarsí
- CB: Aymeric Laporte
- LB: Marc Cucurella
- DM: Rodri
- DM: Fabián Ruiz
- RW: Lamine Yamal
- AM: Dani Olmo
- LW: Álex Baena
- ST: Mikel Oyarzabal
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
France Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Mike Maignan
- RB: Jules Koundé
- CB: Dayot Upamecano
- CB: William Saliba (off 29′)
- LB: Lucas Digne
- DM: Aurélien Tchouaméni
- DM: Adrien Rabiot
- RW: Ousmane Dembélé
- AM: Michael Olise
- LW: Bradley Barcola (off 57′)
- ST: Kylian Mbappé
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Key Stats: France vs Spain
| Stat | France | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| Shots | 10 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.3 | 1.8 |
| Possession | 44% | 56% |
| Passes Completed | — | — |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
France’s 0.3 xG tells the story better than any narrative. Spain’s defensive structure arguably the best at this World Cup reduced one of the most explosive attacks in international football to near-irrelevance.
Spain’s Path to the 2026 World Cup Final
These france vs spain results extend a remarkable Spain unbeaten run. La Roja have not lost a competitive match since March 2023. Their record in this 2026 World Cup is equally dominant: seven games played, one goal conceded (against Belgium in the quarter-final), six wins and a draw.
It also continues Spain’s extraordinary recent dominance over France specifically. This was the third consecutive major tournament where Spain eliminated France following the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final (2-1) and the UEFA Nations League semi-final in 2025 (5-4 on aggregate). Yamal’s pre-match words proved prophetic: “If France should fear anyone, it’s us.”
Spain now advance to the World Cup final their first appearance since lifting the trophy in 2010, when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal defeated the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Lamine Yamal: The 19-Year-Old Who Keeps Haunting France
You cannot discuss these france vs spain results without placing Lamine Yamal at the centre of the story. The Barcelona winger turned 19 just one day before the semi-final and delivered a performance that belied his age entirely.
Yamal’s willingness to take on Lucas Digne directly and win the penalty that opened the scoring showed the composure of a seasoned international. He later had a goal correctly ruled out for offside. Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente praised the team’s collective effort without singling out individuals, but everyone watching Dallas Stadium knew who pulled the strings.
This is the same player who scored a stunning goal against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final. France simply have no answer for him.
What the france vs spain results Mean for France
The defeat brings Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign as France manager to a bittersweet close. He had previously announced this would be his final tournament in charge. France will now play in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Miami Gardens, Florida.
For Kylian Mbappé, it is another World Cup heartbreak. He entered the semi-final tied with Lionel Messi on eight goals in this tournament, leading the Golden Boot race. Despite his status as one of the world’s best players, he was almost entirely anonymous against Spain’s organised defence. Three shots on target from France in 90 minutes against Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Doué says everything about Spain’s defensive mastery.
France had reached the previous two World Cup finals (winning in 2018, losing in 2022). Their run ends here.
Spain vs France Historical Head-to-Head
| Tournament | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final | 2026 | Spain 2-0 France |
| UEFA Nations League Semi-Final | 2025 | Spain won 5-4 agg. |
| UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final | 2024 | Spain 2-1 France |
| UEFA Euro 2012 Group Stage | 2012 | Spain 2-0 France |
Spain have beaten France in every major knockout fixture in recent history. This is not coincidence it reflects a genuine tactical and structural superiority that Luis de la Fuente has built.
Pedro Porro’s Goal: The Moment That Killed the Contest
If Oyarzabal’s penalty opened the door, Porro’s 58th-minute goal slammed it shut. The Sporting CP and Real Madrid right-back played a tight one-two with Dani Olmo, ran onto the return pass at pace, and finished low into the corner with his weaker foot. He later said on the FOX Sports broadcast: “It’s a dream come true. I couldn’t even dream of this. I’m so happy because of the team’s attitude from beginning to end.”
Porro’s performance highlighted one of Spain’s great strengths: contribution from full-backs. In a tournament where wing-backs and overlapping defenders have become increasingly important, Spain’s system maximises that threat without sacrificing defensive solidity.
World Cup 2026 Final: Spain vs England or Argentina
The france vs spain results set up a mouth-watering World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain will face either England or Argentina, who meet in the second semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 16.
Spain won the World Cup once before in 2010 in South Africa. A second title would confirm this generation of La Roja as one of the greatest in the history of international football.
FAQs: France vs Spain Results
What was the final score of France vs Spain?
Spain beat France 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 14, 2026.
Who scored for Spain against France?
Mikel Oyarzabal scored a penalty in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro added a second goal in the 58th minute.
Where was France vs Spain played?
The match was played at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA.
Did Mbappé score against Spain?
No. Kylian Mbappé failed to score and had a largely quiet game as Spain’s defence restricted France to just 0.3 xG.
Who will Spain play in the World Cup final?
Spain will face either England or Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
How many goals has Spain conceded in the 2026 World Cup?
Spain have conceded just one goal in seven matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Was this Spain’s first World Cup final since 2010?
Yes. Spain last appeared in a World Cup final in 2010, when they defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time.
What was the referee’s name for France vs Spain?
The match was refereed by Ivan Barton from El Salvador.
Is Didier Deschamps leaving France after the World Cup?
Yes. Deschamps had previously announced the 2026 World Cup would be his last tournament as France manager after 14 years in charge.
How many times have Spain beaten France in major tournaments recently?
This was the third consecutive major tournament Euro 2024, Nations League 2025, and World Cup 2026 in which Spain eliminated France.
Conclusion
The france vs spain results confirmed what many had suspected throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Spain are a team built differently. Their defensive record just one goal conceded across seven matches is extraordinary at this level. Their attack, led by the teenage brilliance of Lamine Yamal and the clinical finishing of Mikel Oyarzabal, is equally dangerous. France, despite their galaxy of attacking talent, simply had no answer.
These france vs spain results close the chapter on an unforgettable semi-final and open one on a World Cup final that Spain will approach as favourites. Whether they face England or Argentina, Luis de la Fuente’s side will be aiming to match the achievement of Vicente del Bosque’s 2010 team and bring the World Cup back to Spain for the second time.