World Cup: France 0-2 Spain, Serie A players crash out at semi-final hurdle

Spain have knocked favourites France out of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory , as Milan’s Mike Maignan, Adrien Rabiot and Roma midfielder Manu Koné miss out on the Final.

The Spaniards go on to face either England or Argentina in the Final on July 19 in New Jersey, while France will fight for the bronze medal on July 18.

Les Bleus had won every game so far in the tournament, but made two changes from the side that beat Morocco in the quarter-final, as Bradley Barcola was preferred to Désiré Doué, but above all Roma’s Manu Koné dropped to the bench as Aurelien Tchaoumeni recovered from a muscular injury.

Spain conceded only one goal in six World Cup games, during the 2-1 victory over Belgium, and again picked ex-Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz rather than Pedri.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 14: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera from behind the goal.) Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain converts a penalty to score his team’s first goal past Mike Maignan #16 of France during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Spain were awarded a penalty when Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal, the defender who just agreed a move to PSG making a hash of a clearance. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to convert past Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

The situation went from bad to worse for France, as moments later William Saliba went off with a back injury, then Fabian Ruiz prodded wide after a well-worked move set up by Yamal.

Unai Simon’s first real test was sprinting off his line to clear from Kylian Mbappé at the 42 nd minute, then Mbappé just failed to get on the end of a fizzing Jules Koundé cross.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 14: Adrien Rabiot #14 of France argues with referee Ivan Barton during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot was already on a yellow card and risked a second, so was replaced by Roma’s Koné for the restart.

However, Spain passed their way through the French side to score the second with Pedro Porro blasting in at the near post after a give and go with Dani Olmo.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 14: Manu Kone #6 of France competes for the ball against Mikel Merino #6 of Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Lamine Yamal had the ball in the net again moments later, but was flagged offside, while Mbappé saw his strike deflected inches wide by Marc Cucurella.

The best chance France had was when Unai Simon came rushing out to clear, but got back in time to stop Désiré Doué firing into the empty net.

France 0-2 Spain Oyarzabal pen 23 (S), Porro 58 (S)

14-07-2026 20:00

Semi-final

AT&T Stadium

France

Spain

Live 0 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Adrien Rabiot

9'

22'

Mikel Oyarzabal

31'

Marc Cucurella

2nd half

58'

Pedro Porro (Assist: Dani Olmo)

Kylian Mbappé

86'

France

Spain

Starting lineups

16

Mike Maignan Goalkeeper

4

Dayot Upamecano Defender

5

Jules Koundé Defender

3

Lucas Digne Defender

72'

17

William Saliba Defender

30'

14

Adrien Rabiot Midfielder

46'

8

Aurélien Tchouaméni Midfielder

11

Michael Olise Midfielder

72'

12

Bradley Barcola Attacker

57'

10

Kylian Mbappé Attacker

7

Ousmane Dembélé Attacker

23

Unai Simón Goalkeeper

14

Aymeric Laporte Defender

24

Marc Cucurella Defender

22

Pau Cubarsí Defender

12

Pedro Porro Defender

84'

15

Álex Baena Midfielder

84'

8

Fabián Ruiz Midfielder

78'

16

Rodri Midfielder

10

Dani Olmo Attacker

78'

19

Lamine Yamal Attacker

21

Mikel Oyarzabal Attacker

74'

Substitutes

19

Theo Hernández Defender

13

N’Golo Kanté Midfielder

15

Ibrahima Konaté Defender

21

Lucas Hernández Defender

2

Malo Gusto Defender

9

Marcus Thuram Attacker

18

Warren Zaïre-Emery Midfielder

1

Brice Samba Goalkeeper

22

Jean-Philippe Mateta Attacker

23

Robin Risser Goalkeeper

26

Maxence Lacroix Defender

30'

6

Manu Koné Midfielder

46'

20

Désiré Doué Midfielder

57'

24

Rayan Cherki Attacker

72'

25

Maghnes Akliouche Midfielder

72'

4

Eric García Defender

3

Alejandro Grimaldo Defender

26

Borja Iglesias Attacker

18

Martín Zubimendi Midfielder

11

Yéremy Pino Attacker

9

Gavi Midfielder

1

David Raya Goalkeeper

25

Víctor Muñoz Attacker

13

Joan García Goalkeeper

2

Marc Pubill Defender

7

Ferran Torres Attacker

74'

6

Mikel Merino Midfielder

78'

20

Pedri Midfielder

78'

5

Marcos Llorente Midfielder

84'

17

Nico Williams Attacker

84'