The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the final four.
Up first was a battle at Dallas Stadium. Kylian Mbappé and the 2018 World Cup champions, France, took on Lamine Yamal and the 2024 UEFA Euro champions, Spain. Both teams had stars and were tactically sound. France had their high-powered attack, while Spain had their stingy defence and goalkeeping.
A trip to New York/New Jersey Stadium was on the line, and Spain prevailed.
First half: Spain keeps France quiet
Both teams were cautious to start the game. The Spaniards kept their structure to nullify the French attack. France’s backline also made sure to be disciplined as well.
Spain slowly grew into the game. 20 minutes in, France’s Luca Digne accidentally kicked Yamal in the box while going for the ball. It was accidental, but it was a clear penalty. Digne didn’t argue. He knew immediately it was a penalty.
Mikel Oyazabal stepped up to take the penalty. French goalkeeper Mike Maignan dove the right way, but the Real Sociedad striker drilled into the back of the net. No stutter step, just accurate placement.
France had their backs against the wall. But like the Maginot Line in 1940, the French defence was breached. Arsenal defender Nathan Saliba had to go off with an apparent injury. As a result, Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix came on to replace him.
Spain started to control the game and overwhelmed France. When the French did have the ball, they didn’t know what to do with it. The Spainards with clogging the box, and it made it tough for France to find shooting lanes. Bradley Barcola did try an ambitious effort from outside the box. It would’ve counted for three points if he were playing American football.
Rodri and Fabian Ruiz were also doing a great job pressing in the midfield. They made France turn the ball over plenty of times and kick-started the Spanish attack. Yamal was also buzzing down the right wing. He was speeding past Digne but couldn’t get a shot on Maignan.
France’s passing was also abysmal. The creativity they had throughout the tournament was gone. Mbappe, Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise were silent. It was like they lost their super powers.
Second half: Spain takes care of business.
Yamal was still giving Digne fits. The 18-year-old was speeding down the right wing, but couldn’t beat Maignan.
France was still having trouble getting past Spain’s defensive shape. It looked like Les Blues were trying to get by a brick wall.
Spain then increased their lead. Despite falling, Dani Olmo found Pedro Porro alone. The Tottenham Hotspur right-back then easily beat Maignan. They definitely were dancing all across Spain now. That was also Porro’s first international goal.
Spain continued to hunker down. They had seven or eight players in the box, and France still couldn’t get on a shot against Unai Simón. The French’s passes and first touches were still poor. Their attack kept fizzing out just after they crossed the halfway line.
Rodri and Ruiz were formidable in the midfield. The same could be said of the two Spanish centre-backs, Aymeric Laporte (who is French-born) and Pau Cubarsi.
France had no answer for this stingy Spanish side. For the first time since 2010, Spain were in the World Cup final.
Stat of the match
Incredible.
Disasterclass of the match
Olise looked like a Sunday league player against Spain.
Fan moment of the day
Well, this kid learned how cruel sports can be.
Meme of the match
That more or less sums up the game.
Wrap-up
Spain will face either England or Argentina in the final. Those two play in their semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium. That game begins at noon Pacific.
The World Cup final from New Jersey is on Sunday at noon Pacific. Regardless of the matchup, it seems like we are in for a classic.
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