FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE updates: Spain stroll past France 2-0 in blockbuster semi-final in Dallas

… There is a lot of discussion online about whether Yamal should have been pulled up for handball just before the foul.

The match swung in Spain’s favour in the 22nd minute when Lamine Yamal won a penalty kick for Spain, subsequently converted by Mikel Oyarzabal to give Spain the lead.

But what did you make of that decision? At least one person has left a comment on this blog saying they believe it was soft and changed the momentum of the match in Spain’s favour. Let us know what you think:

France coach Didier Deschamps conceded his side had been outclassed after Spain dismantled them 2-0 in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final, exposing technical, tactical and physical failings in a disappointing end to their quest for a third title.

France, widely regarded as one of the pre-tournament favourites, were second best throughout as Spain controlled midfield, cut off supply to Kylian Mbappe and punished a succession of French errors.

“Obviously, this Spain team are very strong and they proved it tonight,” Deschamps told a press conference.

“We were slightly below our usual level and made more technical mistakes than in previous matches. We were also a step short physically.”

Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

From the opening whistle, the Spaniards wrapped themselves around France like an anaconda, tightening their grip with every wave of pressing and every spell of possession until the life had been squeezed from a French attack that had looked irresistible throughout the tournament.

The European champions are now within one victory of completing a double of the game’s biggest prizes. They will discover their final opponents on Thursday (AEST) when England face Argentina in Atlanta for a place in Monday morning’s (AEST) showpiece.

For a country that waited generations for its first World Cup, a second title 16 years later would herald the arrival of another Spanish golden era, this one built around Lamine Yamal and a side as comfortable without mercy as it is with the ball.

In qualifying for the final against France this morning, Spain becomes just the second country to make the finals of successive men’s and women’s tournaments. Germany became the first when the men made the final in 2002. They lost 2-0 to Brazil while the women went on to win the 2003 tournament in a 2-1 victory over Sweden.

So if Spain win this World Cup, they’ll become the first country to win both the men’s and women’s World Cups in successive years. The Spanish women’s team claimed the title in the last Women’s World Cup held in 2023 in Sydney, beating England 1-0.

If England beat Argentina, it will also be the first time that the men’s and women’s World Cups have had the same countries make the finals in successive tournaments in a repeat Spain v England showdown. It’ll also be a repeat of the last men’s Euros finals AND the last women’s Euro’s finals.

Before this match, we asked who you thought would win the World Cup and 61 per cent of you picked France. Take a look: