France 0-2 Spain: Spain sweep past France into the final
If you slept through the 3am semi-final, you missed Spain quietly dismantling France to book their place in the final. Mikel Oyarzabal's early penalty and Pedro Porro's second-half strike settled it, and the masters of possession never let the tie slip. France, for all their attacking riches, ran out of answers. Spain march on; Les Bleus go home.
Result: France 0-2 Spain — kick-off was Wednesday 15 July 2026, 3:00 AM Singapore time at Dallas (Arlington).
The storylines
Spain are into the final, and they got there by doing what Spain do best: controlling a big occasion until the opposition wilts. Mikel Oyarzabal's 22nd-minute penalty set the tone, rewarding a side that squeezed France's midfield from the first whistle. From there the outcome rarely felt in doubt. A clean sheet against Kylian Mbappé and a star-studded French attack is a statement, and it carries La Roja to within one match of the trophy.
For France, this is a chastening end to a tournament that promised so much. Adrien Rabiot's ninth-minute booking hinted at a side chasing the game early, and by the time Mbappé collected his own yellow in the 86th minute, frustration had set in. Les Bleus beat Morocco to reach the last four but never found their rhythm here. A blank against Spain's organised back line leaves them to reflect on a semi-final grip that slipped away.
The decisive blow came in the 58th minute, when Dani Olmo's vision released Pedro Porro to double the lead and effectively end the contest. It was a goal that captured Spain's evening — patient build-up, a full-back arriving at the right moment, and ruthless finishing when the opening came. Having edged Belgium in the quarter-final, Spain have grown into this tournament, and their blend of midfield calm and clinical execution now looks like the profile of champions-in-waiting.
The tactical battle
Spain's midfield was the platform for everything. By dominating possession through Rodri, Pedri and company, they starved France of the transitions Mbappé thrives on and forced Les Bleus to defend for long spells. The early penalty let Spain sit slightly deeper and invite pressure, then punish it. Porro and Olmo's combination for the second showed how Spain used their full-backs as extra creators, overloading the flanks and pulling France's block out of shape before the killer pass.
Players to watch
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) — Converted the early penalty that set the tempo and calmed Spanish nerves before the interval.
- Pedro Porro (Spain) — The attacking full-back's 58th-minute strike sealed the final berth and epitomised Spain's overlapping threat.
- Kylian Mbappé (France) — Starved of service and space, France's talisman was booked and blanked on his biggest night.
What's at stake
Spain advance to the final, one win from lifting the trophy after outlasting Belgium and now France in successive knockout rounds. France's tournament is over at the semi-final stage, a painful exit for a squad brimming with talent. The result reshapes the closing days of the competition, with Spain installed as the side to beat and Les Bleus left to rue what might have been.
Key moments
- 22' Oyarzabal converts from the penalty spot to give Spain the lead
- 58' Porro doubles the advantage from Dani Olmo's assist
- 86' Mbappé booked as France's frustration boils over
FAQ
What time is France vs Spain in Singapore? Wednesday 15 July 2026, 3:00 AM Singapore time (SGT).
Where is France vs Spain being played? At Dallas (Arlington).
What is the head-to-head record between France and Spain? Two European heavyweights met with a final place at stake, and Spain's control told. La Roja's tournament-long composure proved the difference against a France side chasing the game.