Everyone expected goals. France had scored 16 in seven matches. Mbappé and Dembélé were tearing defences apart every single night. Spain were solid and clinical but surely could not keep France quiet for 90 minutes.
They did. Completely. Spain won 2-0 and the scoreline was not even close to telling the full story.
France 0-2 Spain: Composure, Brilliance and Tactical Genius Rewarded Spain With a Place in the Final
France came into this match as the most feared attacking team at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Sixteen goals. Mbappé with eight — joint top with Messi in the Golden Boot race. Dembélé with five. Olise led the tournament for assists. On paper this was the match that had everything.
Spain had other ideas. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz were absolutely dominant in the middle of the pitch — intercepting, pressing and cutting off every single passing lane France tried to use. Every time Mbappé received the ball and tried to turn, a Spanish defender was already there. Every time Dembélé tried to drive at his man, Spain's defensive shape closed him down before he could do anything. Spain held France to just 0.26 expected goals across the entire 90 minutes. In football terms, that is almost nothing.
The first goal came from an 18-year-old making the whole thing look easy. Lamine Yamal drove into the French penalty area at pace and Lucas Digne kicked him clear. VAR confirmed the penalty instantly — no argument, no long review. Oyarzabal stepped up, placed it low into the right corner past Maignan and walked away like it was a training session. 1-0 Spain in the 22nd minute. The calmest penalty you will ever see at a World Cup semi-final.
France tried everything to get back into it. Mbappé had the ball in dangerous areas multiple times — but every single time Spain were there, organised and ready. At one point in the first half, Mbappé collected a long ball in behind with space in front of him — and before he could take a meaningful touch, three Spanish defenders had already surrounded him and the attack was gone in seconds. That moment summed up the whole performance.
Then Porro finished it in the 58th minute. A quick give-and-go caught France out — Porro received the ball in space on the right side of the box and drove it low across Maignan into the far corner. 2-0 Spain. His third goal of the tournament. France's dream of a third straight World Cup final was over.
Mbappé ends this match still level with Messi on eight goals — but with no goals tonight and Messi playing England tomorrow, the Golden Boot race has swung. Spain is in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final for the first time in 16 years. They face the winner of England vs Argentina on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium. The tournament is building to a final nobody saw coming a month ago.
England vs Argentina Is Tomorrow — Here's Why You Need to Watch It Live on Winbox
Yamal won the penalty at 18. Oyarzabal's ice-cold finish. Porro's dagger in the 58th. These moments hit on a completely different level when you are watching live rather than seeing a clip the next morning.
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Spain is through. England or Argentina join them Sunday. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is down to its final three matches — and every single one of them is worth watching and worth betting on.
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Semi-Final Day 1 Over — Spain Are Through and the World Cup Final Is Going to Be Something Else
Mbappé silenced. Dembélé neutralised. France held to almost zero. Spain delivered the greatest defensive performance of the entire FIFA World Cup 2026 and are into their first final in 16 years. England vs Argentina tomorrow decides who faces them.
Whether you are watching for the love of football or following every match through your online sports betting picks on Winbox — the best nights of FIFA 2026 are happening right now. Stay locked in.
