Spain Defeats France to Reach Second World Cup Final, Yamal Dominates Mbappe

Spain secured a historic victory over France on July 15, 2026, advancing to their second-ever World Cup final. The match highlighted Barcelona star Lamin Yamal's exceptional performance, as he maintained rare control over French forward Kylian Mbappe. Yamal has now won nine out of eleven encounters against Mbappe in both national team and club competitions, including a 6-0 record in knockout matches.

Spain's win brings them closer to achieving a rare double, having previously won the European Championship and the World Cup in 2010. Only two teams have won the World Cup as reigning European champions: West Germany in 1974 and Spain in 2010. Spain also won the 2012 European Championship, completing one of the most impressive streaks in international football history.

Before this tournament, Spain had not won a knockout match in the World Cup since their 2010 triumph. Now, they have reached the final for the second time in their history. The team has advanced to the final in seven of their last eight major tournament semifinal appearances. Coach Luis de la Fuente holds the record for most unbeaten matches in European Championships and World Cups, with 13 wins and one draw.

Spain remains undefeated in official matches since March 2024, extending an impressive streak of 37 games (27 wins and 10 draws), tying the world record set by Italy in 2021. Spain previously faced England in the last European Championship final and may meet them again in the upcoming final. A planned "Finalissima" match against Argentina, pitting the European and South American champions, was canceled due to Operation Harry Roar and security concerns in Qatar, the intended host.

The next step for Spain is the World Cup final, where they have the chance to secure a historic double by winning both the European Championship and the World Cup in the same cycle.