By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
LA ROJA of Spain maintained a balance of two semifinal appearances at the world and two wins on Tuesday at the Dallas Stadium in Airlington when she shocked out favourite Les Bleues of France in the 1st Semifinal of the 2026 World Cup by a wonderful 2-0 score line.
Sleekly boy, Yamal Lamine was brought down in the box in a grave defensive error by Lucas Digne and Real Sociedad forward, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the penalty with his left foot; his 5th goal in the tournament having scored a brace against Saudi Arabia and another against Austria.
France struggled before 70,176 fans shouting from the stands in the match handled by El Salvador Ref, Ivan Barton and Danny Olmo took advantage of an unsettled French team concentrating on their substitution as he played a quick one to Pedro Porro to score the 2nd goal that crippled Les Bleues in the 58th minute.
France looked good at Dallas having 14-10 shots at goal with 4-2 shots on target; but Spain dominated play 51-49% ball possessions stringing 487-408 passes splitting foul calls 11-12 for France and the yellow cards 2-1.
It was very disappointing that France could not subdue Spain with their 7-1 corner kick advantage.
So, La Roja of Spain spins into the final to meet winner of the Falkland War between Argentina and England Wednesday at 8.00pm in Atlanta in the 2nd semifinal.
The loser there will play for the Bronze medal against France on July 18.
Spain only semifinal appearances out of their total 17 appearances at the world cup was at South Africa 2010 when they beat Germany by a lone goal and went ahead to win their only title.
Will Spain upload a repeat by winning the title again?
France disappointed their fans across the world as this became the 4th semifinal they would lose out of 7 having lost at this stage against Brazil in 1958 by 2-5; lost to Germany via penalty in 1982 by 4-5 after 3-3 at full time and lost in 1986 incidentally by same 0-2 to Germany.
Was France jinxed? Fans were stunned!
Both countries have met 38 times in history in what we call France-Spain Rivalry (in French -Revalite footballistique France-Esiagne and in Spanish language Rivalidad futbolistica entre Fracia y Espana).
In the 38 times, Spain won 18 times, France won 13 times and there were 7 draws.
In competitive meetings France won 6 times and Spain 4 times.
They had met three times at world cup games including qualifiers, and each nation won a game with a draw.
At Hannover on 27th June 2006 Spain lost 1-3 when Ribery, Viera and Zidane scored for France; at the EUFA wcq Group I of 2014 played in Madrid it was 1-1 and the 2nd leg played at Saint Denis Spain won 1-0.
Their first meeting was 30th April 1922 in a friendly match won by Spain 4-0; last meeting was on 5th June 2025 where Spain won 5-4 at UEFA Nations League finals but highest victory was on 14th April 1929 when Spain won 8-1 in a friendly.
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#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #EUFA
#RFEF #FFF #NFF
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