Kylian Mbappé fires France past Spain in World Cup semifinal thriller

Kylian Mbappé struck twice as France edged past Spain 4-3 on penalties to reach the World Cup semifinal on 15 December 2025.

France and Spain played out a seven-goal thriller in Doha that ended 3-3 after extra time. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 12th minute, then added a second in the 28th to give France a 2-1 lead at halftime. Spain clawed back through goals from Rodri and Ferran Torres, but Aurélien Tchouaméni’s 67th-minute strike restored France’s advantage. A last-gasp equalizer from Álvaro Morata forced penalties.

Mbappé’s first goal came from a sharp counterattack, finishing coolly past Unai Simón. His second was a low drive after a quick one-two with Antoine Griezmann. He then converted France’s first penalty in the shootout, sending the crowd into raptures. The striker finished with two goals and an assist, keeping his tournament tally climbing.

At 26, Mbappé now has six goals in this World Cup, level with his tally from Qatar 2022. His brace against Spain moved him to within one of equaling Just Fontaine’s 1958 record of 13 goals for France. The win also avenged France’s 2-1 group-stage loss to Spain in September 2025.

France face Germany in the semifinal on 19 December 2025 in Al Khor. A win would set up a potential final clash with either Argentina or the Netherlands. Mbappé, though, is focused on the task ahead. “We know what’s at stake,” he said after the match. “One more step and we’re in the final.”