France vs Spain
Spain stuns France with clinical double strike
A penalty and a second-half goal seal a 2-0 win for Spain in the World Cup clash.
Spain secured a convincing 2-0 victory over France, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting a penalty in the first half and Pedro Porro adding a second goal after the break. This result defied Fipster's prediction, which had confidently tipped a narrow 1-0 win for the home side. Spain's composed performance on the big stage left the hosts unable to respond.
Analysis
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final promises a tantalising encounter as France face Spain. Both teams have showcased impressive form and boast squads packed with players from Europe's top leagues, setting the stage for a closely contested battle.
France and Spain each have 16 prior World Cup appearances, with France twice crowned champions (1998, 2018) and Spain once (2010). Both qualified directly, topping their groups with identical points and strong goal differences. Their squads are evenly matched, featuring players exclusively from Europe's top five leagues, including France's Kylian Mbappé and Spain's Rodri. In-tournament, France leads their group with 9 points and a +8 goal difference, while Spain also tops theirs with 7 points and +5. Recent form favours France slightly, having won all their last five matches, including a 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco, while Spain boasts five wins and a draw, most recently beating Belgium 2-1.
The tactical battle will hinge on France's attacking duo Mbappé and Dembélé, whose recent synergy and goal contributions provide a slight edge. Spain counters with creative midfielders like Olise and Rodri, capable of unlocking defences. Both teams have solid defensive records, but France's superior home scoring form and slightly better recent results tip the balance. Historical head-to-heads favour Spain, but recent tournament context and form are more telling at this stage.
Prediction
Expect a tight, disciplined match with France edging a 1-0 victory by halftime and fulltime. The predicted four cards reflect typical semi-final intensity. Confidence in this outcome stands at 79%, reflecting the narrow but decisive advantage France holds through recent form and attacking prowess.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
France's attacking duo synergy
Mbappé and Dembélé's strong recent link-up and goal contributions give France a tactical edge in attack.
France's superior home scoring form
France averages 2.75 goals at home with a 66% clean sheet rate, indicating strong offensive and defensive balance.
Spain's solid defensive form
Spain has kept clean sheets in 4 of last 5 matches, showing defensive resilience despite lower scoring.
Spain's creative midfield depth
Players like Olise and Rodri provide creative passing and assist potential, challenging France's defense.
No key injuries reported
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring tactical plans can be executed without disruption.
Key Takeaways
This semi-final promises a classic encounter between two European heavyweights. While Spain's resilience and creativity will test France, the home side's flawless recent form and attacking firepower should see them through to the final. Fans can anticipate a tense, tactical affair decided by fine margins.
- France and Spain each have 16 prior World Cup appearances.
- France are two-time World Cup champions (1998, 2018); Spain won once (2010).
- Both teams qualified directly, topping their qualifying groups with 16 points each.
- France's squad features 24 of 26 players in top-5 European leagues; Spain's squad is 100% from top-5 leagues.
- France leads their World Cup 2026 group with 9 points and +8 goal difference.
- Spain tops their group with 7 points and +5 goal difference.
- France has won all last 5 matches; Spain has 5 wins and 1 draw in their last 6.
- In 5 recent head-to-head matches, Spain leads with 4 wins to France's 1.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — France
Away — Spain
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Rabiot
Yellow Card
Oyarzabal
Penalty
Saliba
Cucurella
Yellow Card
Rabiot
Barcola
Pedro Porro
Assist: Dani Olmo
Olise
Digne
Oyarzabal
Ruiz
Dani Olmo
Corner cancelled
Pedro Porro
Álex Baena
Mbappé
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
France
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 3Lucas DigneD
- 4Dayotchanculle Oswald UpamecanoD
- 5Jules Olivier KoundéD
- 7Masour Ousmane DembéléF
- 8Aurélien Djani TchouaméniM
- 10Kylian MbappéF
- 11Michael Akpovie OliseF
- 12Bradley BarcolaF
- 14Adrien Thibault Marie Rabiot-ProvostM
- 16Mike Peterson MaignanG
- 17William Alain André Gabriel SalibaD
Substitutes
- 1Brice Lauriche SambaG
- 2Malo GustoD
- 6Kouadio Emmanuel KonéM
- 9Marcus Lilian Thuram-UlienF
- 13N'Golo KantéM
- 15Ibrahima KonatéD
- 18Warren Zaïre-EmeryM
- 19Théo Bernard François HernándezD
- 20Désiré DouéF
- 21Lucas François Bernard HernándezD
- 22Jean-Philippe MatetaF
- 23Robin Risser BirckelG
- 24Mathis Rayan CherkiM
- 25Maghnes AklioucheF
- 26Maxence Guy LacroixD
Spain
4-1-2-3Starting XI
- 8Fabián RuizM
- 10Dani OlmoM
- 12Pedro PorroD
- 14Aymeric LaporteD
- 15Álex BaenaM
- 16RodriM
- 19Lamine YamalF
- 21Mikel OyarzabalF
- 22Pau Cubarsí ParedesD
- 23Unai SimónG
- 24Marc CucurellaD
Substitutes
- 1David RayaG
- 2Marc PubillD
- 3Álex GrimaldoD
- 4Eric GarcíaD
- 5Marcos LlorenteD
- 6Mikel MerinoM
- 7Ferran TorresF
- 9GaviM
- 11Yeremy PinoF
- 13Joan GarcíaG
- 17Nico WilliamsF
- 18Martín ZubimendiM
- 20PedriM
- 25Víctor MuñozF
- 26Borja IglesiasF
France
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Doué | F | 33 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1/3 |
| O. Dembélé | F | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| M. Lacroix | D | 60 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| D. Upamecano | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Tchouaméni | M | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| M. Olise | F | 72 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0/2 |
| B. Barcola | F | 57 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |
| R. Cherki | M | 18 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| M. Koné | M | 44 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/3 |
| J. Koundé | D | 90 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| W. Saliba | D | 30 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Hernández | D | 18 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Digne | D | 72 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Kylian Mbappé | F | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1/6 |
| M. Maignan | G | 90 | 5.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Rabiot | M | 46 | 5.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| M. Thuram | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| N. Kanté | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B. Samba | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Risser | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| I. Konaté | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| W. Zaïre-Emery | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Akliouche | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Hernández | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Gusto | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Mateta | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Spain
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Porro | D | 84 | 8.0 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Dani Olmo | M | 78 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 0/2 |
| Pau Cubarsí Paredes | D | 90 | 7.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aymeric Laporte | D | 90 | 7.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rodri | M | 90 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | F | 74 | 7.1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| Fabián Ruiz | M | 78 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| Mikel Merino | M | 12 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcos Llorente | D | 6 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pedri | M | 12 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ferran Torres | F | 16 | 6.8 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Unai Simón | G | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nico Williams | F | 6 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 0/1 |
| Lamine Yamal | F | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Marc Cucurella | D | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Álex Baena | M | 84 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| David Raya | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Eric García | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Álex Grimaldo | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Martín Zubimendi | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Borja Iglesias | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joan García | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Yeremy Pino | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marc Pubill | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gavi | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Víctor Muñoz | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |