Spain blanked France 2-0 to reach their first final since 2010, while Argentina staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat England 2-1 and preserve their perfect semifinal record
The 2026 World Cup semifinals concluded with Spain and Argentina securing their spots in the final, with both matchups delivering tactical masterclasses and late-game drama that ended the tournament runs of France and England.
Spain controlled the tempo from start to finish at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, breaking down France’s defence with precise passing to advance to their first World Cup final since 2010. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot, and right-back Pedro Porro sealed the 2-0 victory in the 58th minute, finishing a quick combination with Dani Olmo. Spain limited tournament playmakers Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise to minimal touches throughout the match.
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At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, reigning world champions Argentina pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat England in regulation time. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 54th minute off a Morgan Rogers assist, but Argentina equalized in the 84th minute via a fierce long-range strike from Enzo Fernández. In the 91st minute, super-sub Lautaro Martínez headed home a Lionel Messi cross to seal the 2-1 win, preserving Argentina’s historic record of never losing a World Cup semifinal match.
Spain’s victory extended their historic international unbeaten run to 37 matches across all competitions. Messi recorded his 11th career World Cup assist on the game-winning goal, extending his record as the all-time provider in tournament history.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, the tournament now shifts to MetLife Stadium for the final match on Sunday, July 19, where Spain will face Argentina in a blockbuster showdown.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on July 15, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
