Spain defeated France 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, ending France's hopes of a third consecutive final appearance and significantly altering the Ballon d'Or race. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sent Spain to their first World Cup final since 2010, while eliminating three top Ballon d'Or contenders: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise.
Match Decisive for Ballon d'Or Favorites
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal in the box. Porro doubled the lead in the second half. The French attacking trio struggled to make an impact, and their failure to reach the final has major implications for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Current holder Ousmane Dembele was the pre-tournament favorite. After a slow start, he scored five goals but could not carry France past Spain. Michael Olise, another favorite after a stellar season with Bayern Munich, recorded five assists at the tournament but also fell short. Kylian Mbappe, despite a trophyless season with Real Madrid, scored eight goals—tied with Lionel Messi for the tournament lead—but his team's exit weakens his case.
Updated Ballon d'Or Contenders
The semi-final result reshuffles the rankings. Harry Kane now appears as the outright favorite. He leads England into the final and needs only to avoid misfortune for his rivals. Lamine Yamal has been underwhelming at the World Cup but could boost his chances with a strong performance in the final. Declan Rice also remains in contention despite quiet knockout-stage displays.
According to Legit.ng, the top five Ballon d'Or favorites are now:
- Harry Kane
- Lamine Yamal
- Ousmane Dembele
- Michael Olise
- Kylian Mbappe
The final, featuring Spain and England, will likely determine the winner. A strong showing from Yamal or Kane could seal the award, while Dembele, Olise, and Mbappe must hope for an unlikely collapse from the finalists.
