France continued their dominant run in World Cup 2026 qualifying with a convincing victory, while the fallout from the Quansah ban overshadowed Spain's buildup to their clash with Belgium. The match, played at the Stade de France, saw Les Bleus secure a 3-0 win over their opponents, maintaining their perfect record in the group stage.
France's Unstoppable Form
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 12th minute, slotting home a pass from Antoine Griezmann. The lead was doubled just before halftime when Olivier Giroud headed in a cross from Theo Hernandez. In the second half, Mbappe added his second of the night with a stunning strike from outside the box, sealing the victory. France now sit top of Group A with nine points from three matches.
"We are playing with great confidence," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "The team is executing our game plan perfectly, and we are looking forward to the next challenges."
Spain vs Belgium: Quansah Ban Fallout
Meanwhile, the buildup to Spain's match against Belgium has been marred by controversy surrounding the ban of defender Jarell Quansah. The Football Association handed Quansah a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle in a previous fixture, a decision that has drawn criticism from both players and pundits.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed his frustration: "We are disappointed with the ban. Quansah is a key player for us, and his absence will be felt. However, we have a strong squad and will adapt."
Belgium, on the other hand, see the ban as an opportunity. "It's a blow for Spain, but we have to focus on our own game," said Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne. "We will look to exploit any weaknesses."
Impact on Group B Standings
Spain currently lead Group B with seven points, while Belgium are second with five. The match is crucial for both teams as they aim to secure top spot and automatic qualification. A win for Spain would all but guarantee their place in the knockout stages, while Belgium need a victory to keep pressure on the leaders.
According to FIFA statistics, Spain have won three of their last five meetings with Belgium, with one draw and one loss. The last encounter, a 2-1 victory for Spain in a friendly, saw goals from Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Quansah Ban Details
Jarell Quansah, who plays for Liverpool, was sent off in Spain's previous match against Switzerland for a reckless challenge on Xherdan Shaqiri. The FA's disciplinary committee deemed the tackle as serious foul play, resulting in a three-match ban. Quansah has since apologized, saying, "I never intended to hurt anyone. I accept the punishment and will work on my discipline."
The ban means Quansah will miss the upcoming matches against Belgium, Norway, and Scotland. Spain's defensive options now include Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, and Eric Garcia.
World Cup 2026 Qualifying Roundup
Other notable results in World Cup 2026 qualifying include Brazil's 4-0 thrashing of Uruguay, with Neymar scoring twice. England edged past Italy 2-1 in a tense encounter at Wembley, while Argentina defeated Chile 3-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
In Asia, Japan maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while Australia drew 1-1 with South Korea.
Looking Ahead
As the qualifying campaign progresses, France remain the team to beat, but Spain will be keen to prove they can overcome adversity. The match between Spain and Belgium is scheduled for July 14 at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, with kick-off at 8:45 PM local time.
"We are ready for the challenge," De la Fuente added. "The squad is united, and we will give everything to secure the three points."
