Spain beat France 2-0 in the World Cup 2026 semifinal, and the clean sheet told the story. AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosted 70,176 fans for a matchup heavy on detail and control. Spain led 1-0 at halftime and added the second after the break to see the job through. The victory sends Spain into the final of the World Championship. Iván Barton was the referee on the night.

Luis De La Fuente’s team leaned on its center-backs to keep France quiet, while Didier Deschamps tried to find a way through. The away side’s defensive poise stood out across both halves. On Sofascore, the match page provided event player statistics and heat maps that underlined how compact Spain stayed. No chaos, just steady defending and two timely goals.

Pau Cubarsí’s calm control

Pau Cubarsí posted a Sofascore Rating of 7.4. On Sofascore, 10 is perfect, so this sat comfortably in the “very good” range. He produced one last‑man tackle at a key moment. Four clearances helped Spain reset their shape whenever France went direct. He also won both of his tackles, going 2 out of 2.

There was strength in the duels too, with the defender winning 3 of 4. Those numbers show composure under pressure against elite opposition. They also show game awareness in a World Cup 2026 semifinal, not just raw defending. For a back line asked to protect a lead, every well‑timed intervention counted.

Aymeric Laporte’s measured outing

Aymeric Laporte earned a Sofascore Rating of 7.2. He read danger cleanly with two interceptions. Like his partner, he finished with four clearances. He added four ball recoveries in and around Spain’s defensive third. On the ball, he completed 70 of 76 passes to keep Spain’s rhythm steady.

That passing volume helped Spain manage tempo from deep and avoid loose exchanges. His positioning cut off several French forays, as reflected in the interception total. The blend of experience and timing balanced well with his younger partner. It all fed into the clean sheet that framed the 2-0 scoreline.

The pairing that set the tone

Together, Spain’s center-backs supplied a steady base in Arlington. Both recorded four clearances, a neat bit of symmetry that hints at coordination. Add Cubarsí’s last‑man stop and Laporte’s two interceptions and you have a string of decisive reads. Cubarsí’s success in duels and tackles limited danger near the box. Laporte’s accurate distribution moved Spain into safer zones after turnovers.

The numbers help explain why Spain put a goal on the board in each half and never lost control. They also explain how the clean sheet carried the team into the final. For fans tracking form on Sofascore, both players settled in the 7s for Sofascore Rating and rarely looked rushed. If this level holds, Spain’s title push looks well supported by its defense.

Spain’s semifinal was about clarity, not chaos. Two goals on the other end sealed it, but the platform came from a composed pairing in the middle. Keep an eye on Sofascore for the final, where those defensive habits will matter again.