Spaniards Brush Les Bleus Aside: France vs Spain World Cup Semi-Final Recap

The reigning champions of Europe and the former world champions meet for a spot in the final. In the first match of the World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals, Spain and France face each other at Dallas.

(Image credit to espn.com)

In this highly-anticipated duel of these European giants, only one can take one step closer to the famous golden trophy, while the other must settle down for a possible bronze medal. The latest and only World Cup clash between France and Spain took place two decades ago, in which Les Bleus won 3-1. However, the recent history between these teams haven’t been kind to Deschamps’ France. Spaniards had to clear France in the Semi-Finals on their latest successful European Championship run in 2024 and they were also victorious in the 9-goal thriller of the previous UEFA Nations League Semi-Finals. While Les Bleus are on the verge of becoming the third team to make it into 3 consecutive World Cup Finals, La Roja intend to end France’s third consecutive international tournament in the Semi-Finals.

After both sides topped their respective groups, France eased past Sweden 3-0, survived the tough battle against the hard-hitting Paraguay with one goal and put quick 2 goals into Moroccan nets to reach the Semi-Final. Similarly to Les Bleus, De La Fuente’s Spain went through Austria with 3 goals as well and then won with two added time goals against Portugal and Belgium, thanks to their super-sub midfield Mikel Merino.

Coming into this game, both teams have no absentees and ready to roll with all they’ve got. France captain Kylian Mbappé is the top goalscorer of the tournament with 8 goals alongside Lionel Messi and he’ll be Les Bleus’ biggest goal hope teaming up with Dembele and Olise, who is also the top assist provider so far. Meanwhile, despite not being able to hit the target as efficiently as their opponents, Spanish defence is not the easiest to break down, considering they’re the least conceded team of the competition. La Roja will have an eye for a goal through Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain’s top scorer so far, they can also shake things up later with subs like Merino.So without further ado, let’s have a look at the starting elevens of our first Semi-Final game:France XI: Maignan - Koundé - Upamecano - Saliba - Digne - Tchouaméni - Rabiot - Dembélé - Olise - Barcola - Mbappé

Spain XI: Simón - Porro - Cubarsí - Laporte - Cucurella - Rodri - Olmo - Ruiz - Yamal - Baena - Oyarzabal

(Image credit to bbc.com)

First Half

Both sides start a little cautious, testing the waters with high-tempo passing. France finds what seems to be the first opening in Spanish defence with Mbappé, however the defenders recover quickly and don’t give both Mbappé and Olise a clear shot. A game-changing moment occurs in the 20th minute, when Lucas Digne attempts to clear the ball without checking his surroundings and volleys Lamine Yamal in the French box instead. A penalty is given to Spain and Oyarzabal steps up to score his 5th goal in the tournament to put La Roja in front. 

10 minutes later, as if the French are already not struggling to break the Spanish defence, they lose a defender of their own, when Saliba comes off injured. With a goal in front and their opponents losing a key man to injury, Spaniards increase the pressure on France. Baena almost bags another penalty for Spain, but can’t stay onside and Upamecano denies Fabian Ruiz in the box. Les Bleus desperately try to find the equaliser, as the first half reaches the closing stages. However, first Barcola fails to find the target and then Mbappé gets intercepted early by Simón, despite outpacing Cubarsí to reach the ball. So, the first half ends 1-0 in favor of Spain.

(Image credit to nbcnews.com)

Second Half

France make changes going into the second half, but their struggles from the first half doesn’t go away, in fact more trouble is on the way. Despite fending off Oyarzabal’s first attempt, Pedro Porro plays a clever one-two with Dani Olmo to break through the French defense and extend Spain’s lead with a clean finish in the 58th minute. Only 3 minutes later, Lamine Yamal put the ball into Les Bleus’ net for the third time, but the referee ruled it out for offside. France can place their first shots on target with only half an hour left to play, when Mbappé hopelessly tries one from a very tight angle and another from just outside the box. But Simón and Cucurella are successful in denying him and his team any hopes for a comeback. 

After the fresh sub Ferran Torres missed a header, Les Bleus got one last chance to hold on to a hope in the 81st minute. Cherki attempts to slip Mbappé behind the Spanish defense with a long ball and Unai Simón perfectly times his interception once again, but the ball lands in front of Doué this time. Although the goalie is not in his goal, the French winger wastes too much time to decide and he shoots right onto Simón to be saved, as the French hopes fade into the diminishing time. Towards the end of the game, both Mbappé and Nico Williams fail to score another goal for their respective teams and the game ends with La Roja’s 2-0 victory over Les Bleus.

(Image credit to nbcnews.com)

With this win, Spain reached the World Cup Final for the second time in their history by knocking out France in the Semi-Finals for the third consecutive major international tournament. Pedro Porro is given the Superior Player of the Match Award for his faultless play in defence and the goal that sealed the victory for his country. The Spanish defence led by him seemed almost impenetrable and showed exactly why they are the least conceding team in this tournament. Despite not being needed too much, Unai Simón stepped up, when the duty came and became one of the standout performers of his team. Spain’s attack didn’t seem intimidating enough with only two shots on goal, but it proved its efficiency by putting both of those shots behind the net. La Roja seemed to be in control of the game from start to finish and got themselves a well-earned spot in the Final, pushing another European giant aside.On the other hand, France disappointed many people in many ways. Their elite attackers got neutralised by a well-organised opposition defence and their own defence failed with individual errors, the midfield was outmatched by Spaniards as well. They were considered favourites coming into this game, with everyone singling out their individual talents especially in the attacking area. However, that same attacking power could find their first shot on goal in the 64th minute and the remaining 3 shots on target seemed like desperate attempts to figure a way through. Compared to their other games on the path to the Semi-Finals, this game was their first real test to go head-to-head with a tournament favourite and they failed it. Now, in Deschamps’ last game as their manager, Les Bleus will try to salvage at least a bronze medal in the tournament, where most people tipped them as the winners.

(Image credit to apnews.com)

Long story short, Spain ended up reaching the World Cup Final after successfully neutralising France in Dallas. Now, the Spaniards will wait for the winner of the England-Argentina game for Sunday’s final, while Les Bleus will prepare to face the loser to have a shot at the Bronze medal. 

Article written by Emre Albas © Emre Albas 2026