Story by Anashe Murombedzi
SPAIN booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday night, setting up a showdown on Sunday.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored as La Roja produced a disciplined and clinical display to outclass France and secure their place in the final.
The win sends Spain into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
France’s title hopes ended in disappointment, with Kylian Mbappé unable to add to his tournament-leading Golden Boot tally after being contained by a resolute Spanish defence.
The match was only the second World Cup meeting between the two European nations, with France having won their previous encounter 3-1 in the round of 16 in 2006.
Attention now turns to the second semi-final between defending champions Argentina and England, a fixture steeped in World Cup history.
The rivalry includes Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” during Argentina’s 1986 quarter-final victory, England’s win in 2002, and Argentina’s penalty shootout triumph in 1998.
England are chasing a place in their first World Cup final on foreign soil, while Argentina are aiming to win a second successive world title and add another milestone to Lionel Messi’s international career.
Messi is also set to face England for the first time at senior international level.
The winners of the second semi-final will meet Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final.
