Spain moved one step closer to lifting the World Cup trophy after a commanding 2-0 victory over France in their semifinal clash.
The match, played at a neutral venue in the United States, saw Mikel Oyarzabal open the scoring from the penalty spot after a foul by Lucas Digne, while Pedro Porro sealed the win with a clinical finish following a give‑and‑go with Dani Olmo.
A Milestone Streak
The result extended Spain’s unbeaten streak in regular time to 37 matches, a run that dates back to the group stage and includes every knockout encounter to date. It also snapped France’s six‑match winning streak in the tournament and left the French side to contest a third‑place playoff in Miami Gardens.
Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simón recorded his sixth clean sheet of the competition, underscoring the defensive solidity that has characterized their campaign. The team will now await the winner of the other semifinal between Argentina and England, who are scheduled to meet in the final on Sunday.
Star Performers
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal, just 19, played a pivotal role in orchestrating Spain’s attacks, while veteran midfielder Rodri anchored the midfield. Across the pitch, players such as Dani Olmo, Fabian Ruiz, and Alex Baena contributed to the fluid passing game that proved decisive against a resilient French side.
For France, the loss marks the end of a promising run that had seen Kylian Mbappé and Rayan Cherki among the standout performers. Coach Luis de la Fuente will now focus on preparing his squad for the third‑place match, while Spain’s coach expressed confidence in his side’s ability to maintain momentum heading into the final.