Mikel Oyarzabal drilled a penalty at the 22-minute mark, putting Spain up 1-0 on France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal! Talk about an early gut punch for a French squad favored to win it all. This absolute slugfest is going down in Dallas, and it is absolutely living up to the hype we've all been buzzing about. These two football titans are throwing everything they have at each other, battling it out for the right to play in Sunday's massive final.
Yamal Ignites the Scoreboard and the Drama
The only goal of the match so far comes from Spain, and the hero behind it all? None other than their electrifying teenager, Lamine Yamal. This kid is absolutely fearless! He's still a teenager, but he plays like a seasoned veteran, showcasing that dynamic talent we've all heard so much about. Yamal fearlessly drew the penalty, setting up Mikel Oyarzabal, who then coolly converted it from the spot. That's a huge moment, a massive statement from Spain. Now, picture the pressure building on France's superstar, Kylian Mbappe. This guy is on pace to be the best World Cup goalscorer ever, but his squad is already down. Their starting keeper, Mike Maignan, definitely wants that one back, but you've got to credit Yamal for making the play. On the other side, Spain's Unai Simon has held firm, keeping his sheet clean and his team ahead. This is the kind of high-stakes football we live for!Early Numbers Tell a Story of Spanish Dominance
Let's talk numbers, because the early box score at the 25-minute mark is screaming one thing: Spain is absolutely dictating this game. Their 1-0 lead isn't some flukey bounce or lucky break, it is earned. Spain is owning the ball, controlling a massive 57% possession compared to France's 43%. They've got the only shot on goal of the entire match so far, and yep, it was the one that landed in the back of the net. France, on the other hand, looks a bit rattled. They've already committed 3 fouls, and to add insult to injury, they've picked up a yellow card. Spain? A clean sheet on fouls, showing a disciplined and aggressive approach. The real kicker is the expected goals (xG). Spain is sitting pretty at a whopping 0.84 xG, while France is barely registering with a dismal 0.01. That's a stark contrast! This is NOT how Kylian Mbappe and the heavily favored French side envisioned starting their semifinal campaign, especially with Pedri sitting out! We are barely past the quarter-hour mark in the first half, and this World Cup semifinal is already packed with unbelievable drama and massive implications. With Spain currently holding a crucial 1-0 lead, the pressure is squarely on France to find an answer, and fast! Kylian Mbappe's squad needs to ignite their attack if they want to keep their World Cup dreams alive and earn that coveted spot in Sunday's final. You absolutely cannot blink for a second in a match like this. The rest of this game is going to be an absolute rollercoaster!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.