Spain knocks out France 2-0 - Orange County Register

WORLD CUP 2026

Spain knocks out France 2-0

Staunch defense defeats star power as Mbappé’s squad goes scoreless

Pedro Porro scores Spain’s second goal against Maignan during the World Cup semifinal match at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. Spain will play the winner of today’s Argentina-England match. Jessica Tobias — AP

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scores the team’s first goal on a penalty kick past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, on Tuesday. Julio Cortez — AP

PREVIOUS IMAGE

Image

NEXT IMAGE

France and megastar Kylian Mbappé appeared destined to return to the World Cup final for the third consecutive time. Then they ran into Spain.

The Spanish team, which won twice at Los Angeles Stadium in knockout-round games, continued its brilliant run with a 2-0 victory Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, to reach Sunday’s championship game in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain will face the winner of the other semifinal between defending champion Argentina and England at noon today in Atlanta.

Mbappé and France, which scored 15 goals in its first six games, were frustrated by a Spanish defense that has surrendered only one goal in seven games in the tournament.

Full coverage in Sports