The Short Version
Spain are in the World Cup final. In the first semi-final, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Spain beat France 2-0 — a clean sheet and a controlled performance that shut down the tournament’s most dangerous transition side. Spain’s possession game did exactly what it was built to do, keeping France and Kylian Mbappé at arm’s length all night. France, who had scored in every knockout round, were kept scoreless for the first time and are out. Spain now wait on the winner of England vs Argentina, who meet on July 15, to learn their final opponent on July 19.
The first World Cup semi-final went to the team that controlled it. Spain beat France 2-0 at AT&T Stadium to reach the final, a result that matched the identity they had carried all tournament: patient, possession-heavy football that gives opponents almost nothing. France, the tournament’s most explosive attacking side on the counter, could not find a way through and were held scoreless for the first time in the knockouts. Spain go to the final; France go to the third-place play-off.
July 14 result at a glance
| Tie | Score | Venue | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Spain | 0–2 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | Spain |
Two goals, a clean sheet, and a place in the final — Spain’s control decided the first semi-final.
Control beats counter
The semi-final turned on the contest everyone had flagged before kick-off: France’s transition speed against Spain’s control of the ball. On the night, Spain’s possession game won it. By keeping the ball and forcing France to chase, they denied Kylian Mbappé and France the space in behind that had powered their run to the last four, and turned the game into the kind of contest they dominate.
It was a second clean sheet in three knockout ties for Spain, who have conceded just once in the entire knockout phase. For France — who had beaten Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco on their way to the semis, scoring in each round — it was the first time in the tournament’s knockouts they failed to score, and it ended their run one step from the final.
France out, Spain into the final
For France, a recent world champion, the tournament ends in the semi-finals and a third-place play-off on July 18. Having reached the last four as the first team through, they leave among the four best sides in the tournament but short of the final they had looked equipped to reach. Their reward now is a play-off for third; their World Cup is over as a title bid.
For Spain, it is a return to the biggest stage in the sport. They reached the final as the first team confirmed in it, and they did it in the manner that has defined their run — controlling the game and conceding nothing, as the result confirmed. One place in the final is filled; the other will be decided the following day.
The road to the final now
With the first finalist known, the remaining schedule is set. Spain wait to see whether they face England or the holders Argentina, who meet in the second semi-final on July 15.
| Match | Date | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-final: France 0–2 Spain | July 14 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | Spain through |
| Semi-final: England vs Argentina | July 15 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | To be played |
| Third-place play-off | July 18 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | France await opponent |
| Final: Spain vs (England/Argentina) | July 19 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford | Spain confirmed |
Spain are through to the final on July 19; France drop into the third-place play-off on July 18. The second semi-final, England against holders Argentina, decides who joins Spain in the final and who meets France in the play-off, as the day’s coverage set out.
Frequently asked questions
What was the July 14 World Cup result? Spain beat France 2-0 in the first semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington to reach the World Cup final.
Who won France vs Spain? Spain won 2-0, keeping a clean sheet to reach the final. France were eliminated.
Is France out of the 2026 World Cup? France are out of the title race, losing the semi-final 2-0 to Spain. They will play in the third-place play-off on July 18.
Have Spain reached the 2026 World Cup final? Yes. Spain beat France 2-0 in the first semi-final and are the first team confirmed in the final on July 19.
Who will Spain play in the final? Spain will play the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina, which is on July 15.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final? The final is on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
When is the second semi-final? England play holders Argentina in the second semi-final on July 15, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
How did Spain reach the final? Spain beat Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0, Belgium 2-1 and France 2-0 in the knockout rounds, conceding just once on the way to the final.
