{"id":39342,"date":"2026-07-15T05:17:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/spain-holds-off-france-to-earn-a-spot-in-world-cup-final\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T05:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:17:30","slug":"spain-holds-off-france-to-earn-a-spot-in-world-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/spain-holds-off-france-to-earn-a-spot-in-world-cup-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain holds off France to earn a spot in World Cup final"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Spain held off Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and France 2-0 to earn a spot in Sunday\u2019s World Cup final. The teams played Tuesday\u2019s semifinal match in Arlington, Texas, at the home of the NFL\u2019s Dallas Cowboys. France and Spain had met only once previously on soccer\u2019s biggest stage, with France winning in the round of 16 in 2006. Spain will play Sunday against either England or defending champion Argentina in the World Cup final.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.<\/p>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Dani Olmo (10) and France\u2019s Adrien Rabiot (14) fight for the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Dani Olmo (10) and France\u2019s Adrien Rabiot (14) fight for the ball during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal comes out to the pitch for warmup before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal comes out to the pitch for warmup before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spanish and French flags are seen on the pitch during the presentation of the teams before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Sam Hodde)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spanish and French flags are seen on the pitch during the presentation of the teams before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Sam Hodde)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) scores their first goal on a penalty kick past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) scores their first goal on a penalty kick past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) scores the opening goal from the penalty kick during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Sam Hodde)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal (21) scores the opening goal from the penalty kick during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Sam Hodde)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal scores from the penalty spot the opening goal during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal scores from the penalty spot the opening goal during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal scores the opening goal from the penalty spot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal scores the opening goal from the penalty spot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates scoring from the penalty spot the opening goal during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates scoring from the penalty spot the opening goal during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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An assistant referee hands referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador the vanishing spray during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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An assistant referee hands referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador the vanishing spray during a World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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France\u2019s Michael Olise, left, and Spain\u2019s Marc Cucurella vie for the ball Michael Oliseduring a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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France\u2019s Michael Olise, left, and Spain\u2019s Marc Cucurella vie for the ball Michael Oliseduring a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center, wearing a Texas belt buckle, adjusts his pants during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center, wearing a Texas belt buckle, adjusts his pants during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) and Lamine Yamal (19) chat as they walk among sprinklers during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) and Lamine Yamal (19) chat as they walk among sprinklers during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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France fan waits for the start of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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France fan waits for the start of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro scores his side\u2019s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro scores his side\u2019s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro (12) scores their second goal as France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) defends during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro (12) scores their second goal as France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) defends during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal and France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe (10) fall during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal and France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe (10) fall during a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal (19) stops France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe reacts during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe reacts during a World Cup semifinal soccer match against Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro celebrates scoring their second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro celebrates scoring their second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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France\u2019s Desire Doue covers his face after his side\u2019s lost against in a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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France\u2019s Desire Doue covers his face after his side\u2019s lost against in a World Cup semifinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Alex Baena, France\u2019s Ousmane Dembele and Spain\u2019s Marc Cucurella during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Alex Baena, France\u2019s Ousmane Dembele and Spain\u2019s Marc Cucurella during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Borja Iglesias (26) celebrates with Rodri, center, after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Borja Iglesias (26) celebrates with Rodri, center, after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain held off Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and France 2-0 to earn a spot in Sunday\u2019s World Cup final. The teams played Tuesday\u2019s semifinal match in Arlington, Texas, at the home of the NFL\u2019s Dallas Cowboys. France and Spain had met only once previously on soccer\u2019s biggest stage, with France winning in the round of 16 in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-39342","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer"},"yoast_head":"\nSpain holds off France to earn a spot in World Cup final - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News & Updates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/spain-holds-off-france-to-earn-a-spot-in-world-cup-final\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spain holds off France to earn a spot in World Cup final - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News & Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Spain held off Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and France 2-0 to earn a spot in Sunday\u2019s World Cup final. 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