France vs Spain World Cup 2026 Semi-Final

Spain beat France 2-0 on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas). Spain's goals came from Mikel Oyarzabal (penalty, 22nd minute, Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the box by Lucas Digne) and Pedro Porro (58th minute, after an Upamecano foul on Dani Olmo led to the goal). Spain advance to the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. France are eliminated. Sources: FIFA, ESPN, NBC Sports.

The match was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, with a capacity of approximately 80,000, in the Dallas metropolitan area. Final score: Spain 2-0 France. Source: FIFA.

USA: Fox Sports / Telemundo (Spanish). UK: BBC or ITV (both free-to-air, streaming BBC iPlayer / ITVX). France: M6 (exclusive live rights for France's matches, both semi-finals and the final; free-to-air, streaming M6+; commentators: Xavier Domergue, Benoît Cheyrou, Samuel Umtiti). Spain: RTVE / Movistar+. Germany: ARD or ZDF / MagentaTV. Sources: FIFA rights-holder announcements, Serie-News.

No. This is the first World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. They have met twice at World Cups: France lost to Spain 2-1 in the 1978 group stage, then France beat Spain 3-1 in the 2006 Round of 16 (Ribéry, Zidane pen., Vieira). They also met at UEFA Euro 2024, where Spain beat France 2-1 in the semi-final (Yamal and Dani Olmo scored).

France are the best team statistically at the 2026 World Cup: 6 wins from 6, 17 goals scored, just 2 conceded. Their run: Senegal 3-1 (GS), Iraq 3-0 (GS), Norway 3-0 (GS, delayed by thunderstorm), Sweden 3-0 (Round of 32), Paraguay in the Round of 16, Morocco 2-0 (quarter-final, Mbappé brace). Kylian Mbappé has 8 WC goals, tied for the Golden Boot. Sources: FIFA, ESPN.

Spain have won every match at the 2026 World Cup: 6 wins from 6. Highlights include a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia (Lamine Yamal's first WC goal), a convincing run through the knockouts, and the quarter-final 2-1 win over Belgium (Fabián Ruiz, De Ketelaere equaliser, substitute Merino 1'57" after coming on as the winner). Sources: FIFA, ESPN, Marca.

Kylian Mbappé leads France with 8 goals, tied for the Golden Boot with Messi. Ousmane Dembélé has also been outstanding, scoring 4 goals including a hat-trick against Norway. Defensive solidity (only 2 goals conceded in 6 matches) is provided by Dayot Upamecano, Mike Maignan, and the midfield screen of Aurélien Tchouaméni. Sources: ESPN, Fox Sports.

Lamine Yamal (17 years old) has been the most exciting player in Spain's squad, scoring his first WC goal in the group stage and creating danger throughout. Rodri anchors the midfield. Pedri has been influential, and Fabian Ruiz scored the opener against Belgium in the QF. Substitute Merino has delivered in key moments, including the QF winner. Sources: Marca, ESPN.

Yes. July 14 is Bastille Day (la Fête Nationale), France's national holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille in 1789, one of the key events of the French Revolution. It is marked by a military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, fireworks across France, and public celebrations. France playing a World Cup semi-final on this date gives the match extraordinary symbolic weight for French fans.

Spain's goals were scored by Mikel Oyarzabal (22nd minute penalty, Lamine Yamal was brought down inside the box by France's Lucas Digne, Oyarzabal converted into the upper corner) and Pedro Porro (58th minute, Raphaël Upamecano fouled Dani Olmo, leading to the chance, Porro slotted home). Sources: FIFA, ESPN, NBC Sports.

Spain were more clinical and controlled the match. William Saliba's injury in the 30th minute (replaced by Maxence Lacroix) disrupted France's defensive shape and was a significant blow. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz dominated midfield, and Lamine Yamal won the penalty that set Spain on their way. Kylian Mbappé, France's top scorer with 8 tournament goals, was kept quiet throughout by Pedro Porro. Spain's 2-0 win was their seventh from seven at the 2026 World Cup. Sources: FIFA, ESPN, NBC Sports.