Spain 2-0 France: Oyarzabal Penalty, Porro Stunner — La Roja Are in the World Cup Final
⚽ Oyarzabal 22' (pen) • Porro 67'
🟥 Saliba off injured 29' • Spain face England/Argentina — Sunday July 19, 3pm ET, MetLife
Spain are in the World Cup Final. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal drew a foul from Lucas Digne, then Pedro Porro drove home a stunning combination goal in the 67th, and France — the tournament's highest scorers with Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise — were held to zero shots on target. Unai Simón was barely tested for 90 minutes. This was not a close match. It was a statement.
Spain are in a World Cup Final for the first time since 2010. The generation that won it in Johannesburg has given way to an entirely new one — Yamal, Pedri, Rodri — but the philosophy is identical: possession, patience, and the technical quality to execute when the moment arrives. They have now won seven World Cup matches at this tournament without requiring a single penalty shootout. Every result has been earned in 90 minutes.
First Half: The Penalty, Saliba's Injury, Spain in Control
Yamal's run in the 21st minute changed the match. He drove at Digne on the left side of the France box, drew the contact, and went down. VAR confirmed a penalty after a review. Oyarzabal stepped up and placed it to Maignan's left — 1-0 Spain. Eight minutes later France lost Saliba to injury — the Arsenal centre-back who had been managing a back complaint throughout the tournament signalled to the bench and was replaced by Maxence Lacroix. France had used a substitution inside the first 30 minutes and their defensive structure was disrupted. Spain never let them recover.
Second Half: Porro Finishes It
Spain's second in the 67th minute was a perfect expression of their style. Six passes through France's midfield, each one crisp and purposeful, ending with Pedro Porro arriving completely unmarked at the edge of the box. He took one touch and drove a low shot inside the far post. Maignan got fingertips to it. 2-0. Yamal had a goal ruled out for offside shortly after — it would have been 3-0. France had no answer. Mbappé's last attempt, a free kick in the 88th minute, sailed high and wide. That was that.
France Eliminated
France are out. Mbappé ends with 8 goals — tied with Messi for the Golden Boot. His tournament numbers are historic: 11 goal involvements in seven matches, the most since Gerd Müller in 1970. But Spain were a team. France were a collection of individuals. Against this Spain side, in a knock-out match, that distinction decided everything.
The Final: Spain vs England/Argentina, July 19, MetLife
The World Cup Final is Sunday July 19 at 3pm ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain's opponent is the winner of England vs Argentina — tomorrow, 3pm ET, Atlanta. Final tickets are already surging in price following this result.