Spain have proved why they were one of the teams to beat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as they defeated the mighty France in the first semi-final of the tournament at the Dallas Stadium to qualify for the final of the tournament.
As the Spanish team under Luis de la Fuente reached the final of the mega tournament, they have now become the second team in 96 years and the first in 44 years to achieve a massive World Cup feat.
Spain won the Euro 2024 and enter the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the reigning European champions. When they last reached the final in 2010, which they won, the Spain were also the reigning Euro champions, having won the trophy in 2010. This now makes Spain the second team ever to reach two FIFA World Cup finals as the reigning Euro Champions.
West Germany was the first team to do it, having qualified for the 1974 and 1982 FIFA World Cup finals, as the 1972 and 1980 Euro Champions respectively.
If Spain win the tourament, then they will become the first team to win two FIFA World Cups as the reigning Euro champions. Germany won the 1974 edition as the 1972 Euro champions.
Spain End 16 Year Wait
Spain have ended their 16-year-wait as they have reached their second-ever final in the 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup. They had reached their last final in 2010, which they won against Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Since then, Spain have failed to qualify beyond the Round of 16. In fact in 2014, they were knocked out of the group stages when they were defending champions
Spain absolutely dominated France, who entered the final as the most lethal attacking team of the tournament, scoring 16 goals. However, Spain, being the dominant defensive force that they are, absolutely bossed the game, not letting the French create a sniff of a chance at goal.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain with a 22nd minute penalty. This was followed up by a goal frm Pedro Porro in the 58th minute which decided the fate of the game. In fact, this was the first game since 2010, where France lost by a 2-goal margin in a FIFA World Cup match.