Spain’s toughest matches on their way to World Cup Final

TL;DR: Spain reached Sunday’s World Cup final through more than sheer dominance. Cape Verde frustrated La Roja, Uruguay pushed them in the group finale, Portugal kept the score tight and Belgium came within minutes of forcing extra time. Spain then produced its most complete performance against France, winning 2-0 to extend its unbeaten run to 37 matches.

Spain will return to the World Cup final after making one of the tournament favorites look surprisingly ordinary.

La Roja defeated France 2-0 in the semifinal, scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before adding another goal in the 58th. Even more impressive, Spain contained a French attack led by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, NPR reports. Mbappé entered the match leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals and three assists, yet France never found an answer.

That result captured Spain at its best: composed, disciplined and ruthless when the opening arrived. But the road to Sunday’s final did not always look that smooth.

Spain has conceded only once during the tournament and has gone two years without a defeat, compiling 28 victories and nine draws across 37 matches. Those numbers tell the story of an elite team. Still, several opponents tested Spain’s patience, finishing and ability to respond under pressure.

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Cape Verde Delivered Spain’s First Reality Check

Cape Verde entered its World Cup debut facing enormous odds. Spain came in as a reigning European champion, a former World Cup winner and a massive favorite in the opening match.

None of that mattered once the game started.

Cape Verde held Spain to a scoreless draw behind a committed defense and an unforgettable performance from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. He stopped Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte during a furious stretch late in the opening half. Torres came closest to breaking through when his attempt struck the crossbar shortly before halftime.

Spain introduced Lamine Yamal after the break, but even its sensational teenager could not unlock Cape Verde’s defense. The underdogs stayed organized, refused to panic and nearly stole all three points when Diney Borges directed a late header toward goal. Unai Simón made the save.

Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitão Brito said the result represented his nation’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. Defender Steven Moreira simply called the moment “a dream,” while an emotional Vozinha cried after the final whistle.

For Spain, the draw exposed the challenge that comes with controlling a match without finishing it. Luis de la Fuente acknowledged that his team created enough favorable situations to win but lacked sharpness near goal.

The result did not derail Spain. It did, however, force the tournament favorite to confront an uncomfortable lesson immediately: reputation creates expectations, not goals.

Uruguay and Portugal Made Every Goal Matter

Spain responded to its opening draw by beating Saudi Arabia 4-0, but Uruguay presented a far more demanding test in the Group H finale.

Álex Baena scored the only goal during the first half of Spain’s 1-0 victory at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera allowed the ball to bounce beyond him and did not return after halftime.

Yamal nearly supplied an assist, although the resulting effort traveled wide of the right post. Uruguay also lost midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who left on a stretcher after landing awkwardly during the opening half.

The narrow win secured first place in the group for Spain and eliminated Uruguay, the tournament’s No. 16-ranked side. It also helped Cape Verde advance after the debutant completed the group stage with three draws.

Spain later defeated Austria 3-0, but Portugal gave La Roja another tight contest on July 6. Spain escaped AT&T Stadium with a 1-0 victory, continuing a pattern that would define its most difficult matches. When the margin became thin, Spain still found a way to protect it.

Not every championship contender needs to overwhelm every opponent. Sometimes the difference comes down to managing one goal, one defensive sequence or one late moment without losing control. Spain repeatedly passed that test.

Belgium Came Closest to Breaking Spain

Belgium delivered the greatest threat to Spain’s unbeaten tournament run.

Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring after 30 minutes, capitalizing after Thibaut Courtois stopped Dani Olmo’s first-time attempt. The rebound moved toward Ruiz, whose shot reached the net after a deflection off Timothy Castagne.

Belgium answered 11 minutes later. Castagne sent a cross into the area, where Charles De Ketelaere moved ahead of Pau Cubarsí and headed the ball past Simón.

That goal carried historical weight within Spain’s tournament. La Roja had gone 650 minutes without conceding in World Cup competition, a stretch dating back to the 2022 group stage.

Belgium continued creating danger after halftime. Maxim De Cuyper sent one opportunity into the side-netting, while the team also appealed for a handball after a ricochet struck Rodri’s arm. Officials did not award a penalty.

Then the match changed. Courtois suffered an apparent thigh injury and left in tears during the 71st minute. Senne Lammens replaced him, inheriting an enormous assignment with the score level.

Spain finally capitalized in the 88th minute. Cubarsí attempted a long-range strike that Lammens failed to control. Mikel Merino reacted first, reached the loose ball and lifted it into the goal.

SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD OVER BELGIUM IN THE QUARTERFINALS

Fabián Ruiz cleans it up to make it 1-0 for La Roja! pic.twitter.com/HlOCFB2egL

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026

Merino had already delivered the winner against Portugal. Against Belgium, he did it again.

His late intervention separated Spain from extra time and sent La Roja into its semifinal meeting with France. It also showed why Spain has survived every type of match during this tournament. The team can dominate possession, defend a narrow advantage or punish a single mistake when the pressure reaches its peak.

France Saw Spain at Full Strength

France entered the semifinal without trailing at any point in the tournament. That changed after 21 minutes.

Spain’s penalty gave La Roja control, and its second goal shortly before the hour mark created separation. France arrived with the history of a 2018 championship, an appearance in the 2022 final and one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking groups. Spain still kept another clean sheet.

The semifinal did not require a desperate Merino winner or a late rescue from Simón. Spain controlled the occasion and closed the door.

That may represent the most encouraging part of its run. Spain survived the frustration against Cape Verde, protected slim advantages against Uruguay and Portugal, recovered after Belgium scored and then dominated France.

Now only Argentina or England stands between Spain and another World Cup trophy. Whatever challenge awaits Sunday, La Roja has already shown it can win the beautiful way, the difficult way and, when necessary, the dramatic way.

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