The essentials
Spain beat France 2-0 in semifinal; England faces Argentina for the other final spot.
Spain advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinal in Arlington, Texas. The victory marks Spain's first final appearance since 2010 and extends their remarkable run—Spain maintains a 37-game unbeaten streak heading into the championship match.
Lamine Yamal drew a penalty after a foul by Lucas Digne, providing a key moment in Spain's dominant performance. Spain's defense contained France's attacking threat, including Kylian Mbappé, recording their sixth shutout of the tournament.
England faces Argentina in the second semifinal, with the winner advancing to meet Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final will determine the 2026 World Cup champion as these semifinal matchups conclude the knockout stages.
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Spain's defensive fortress carries unbeaten nation to final
Spain's path to the final demonstrates defensive mastery throughout the tournament. Their sixth consecutive shutout against France exemplifies tournament-long resilience, while the 37-game unbeaten streak reflects sustained excellence across multiple competitions. The semifinal victory continues Spain's dominance over France, winning their third consecutive matchup against the nation in major tournaments.
France's campaign ends as Spain denies third consecutive final appearance
France's elimination marks a significant tournament conclusion after reaching consecutive finals in 2018 and 2022. Despite advancing through five consecutive group-stage victories and a quarterfinal redemption win over Morocco, France could not overcome Spain's defensive organization. The semifinal loss represents the end of France's recent era of consistent championship-round appearances.