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By Ethan Carter — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, USA. This win marks Spain’s first advancement to the final in 16 years, as they pursue their second title since their win in 2010. The upcoming final will see Spain face either England or Argentina.

The match saw Spain take the lead in the 22nd minute of the first half when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty kick. This penalty was awarded after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. Later, in the early second half, Tottenham defender Pedro Porro scored an additional goal, extending Spain’s advantage.

Controversial Tackle and French Protests

A notable incident occurred in the 32nd minute of the second half, with Spain already leading 2-0. Lamine Yamal executed a tackle targeting the back of Kylian Mbappé’s legs. Mbappé subsequently fell to the ground, clutching his ankle. However, referee Ivan Barton did not call a foul, allowing play to continue.

This decision prompted a strong protest from French coach Didier Deschamps, who expressed his displeasure from the technical area. The Sun reported on the incident, noting that Yamal delivered a tackle on Mbappé but avoided any disciplinary action, which reportedly fueled Deschamps’ frustration.

Spain’s Dominance and French Setbacks

Spain demonstrated strong control throughout the match, particularly in midfield, led by Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The team also effectively managed the flanks with full-backs Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro. Dani Olmo contributed significantly, completing 30 of his 31 passes.

In contrast, France, considered a strong contender for the tournament, faced several challenges. Key defender William Saliba was substituted due to an injury in the 29th minute of the first half. Additionally, Michael Olise avoided a red card after a tackle on Rodri, contributing to France’s instability during the game.

Yamal’s Record-Breaking Performance

The semi-final victory also highlighted a significant milestone for Lamine Yamal. This match marked his 12th career start across the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup combined, with all 12 resulting in Spanish victories. This gives him a flawless 12-0 record when starting for Spain in these major international tournaments.

This achievement represents the best 100 percent winning record ever recorded by a European player across these two competitions when starting matches. Yamal’s influence extends beyond individual statistics; his movement, ball retention, and creativity have been integral to Luis de la Fuente’s attacking strategy.

Impact on Spain’s Campaign

Yamal’s remarkable sequence of starts began during UEFA Euro 2024, where he emerged as a standout performer, contributing one goal and four assists as Spain won the championship with seven victories from seven matches. His defining moment in that tournament’s semi-final against France was a long-range strike that leveled the contest.

Despite recovering from a hamstring injury before the 2026 World Cup, Yamal has started all six of Spain’s World Cup matches. His only goal in the tournament came against Saudi Arabia, making him the youngest player to score the opening goal in a World Cup match since Pelé in 1958, and Spain’s second-youngest World Cup goalscorer.

Opponents have increasingly focused on containing Yamal, often committing multiple defenders, which limits his direct goal contributions but creates valuable space for his teammates. His intelligent run into the penalty area in the semi-final against France drew the foul that led to Mikel Oyarzabal’s opening penalty. Spain’s latest victory also extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches, equaling Italy’s all-time European record, and making them the first European nation to win eight consecutive knockout matches across the World Cup and European Championship.

Source: starnewskorea.com