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Spain Defeat France 2-0 To Reach 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

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By Lourenta Kugbere

Spain advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over France in a highly anticipated semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

The European champions delivered a controlled performance to end France’s unbeaten run and book a place in their second-ever World Cup final, 16 years after winning the tournament in 2010.

Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute. Teenager Lamine Yamal, a day after his 19th birthday, forced a foul inside the box after chasing a loose ball past France defender Lucas Digne.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty to open the scoring — his fifth goal of the tournament. It was the first time France had trailed in their seven World Cup games and just the third goal Les Bleus had conceded all tournament.

Spain doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro. The full-back finished a slick one-two with Dani Olmo to make it 2-0. It was Porro’s second goal of the World Cup, both coming in the knockout rounds.

France pushed for a way back into the game and coach Didier Deschamps made attacking changes, but Spain’s defense held firm for a sixth clean sheet of the tournament. Goalkeeper Unai Simon was busy late on, denying a shot from Desire Doue and dealing with pressure from France’s front line.

France recalled Aurelien Tchouameni to midfield and Bradley Barcola to the attack, joining Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and captain Kylian Mbappe up front. Mbappe entered the match as co-leader of the tournament scoring chart with eight goals.

Spain named an unchanged side from their quarterfinal win over Belgium. Fabian Ruiz started alongside captain Rodri and Dani Olmo in midfield, with Yamal, Oyarzabal and Alex Baena leading the attack.

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Analysts billed the clash as a meeting of contrasting styles — Spain’s possession-based approach against France’s counter-attacking threat.

France reached the last four after a 2-0 win over Morocco, with Mbappe scoring his eighth goal of the tournament. Les Bleus had won all six of their matches prior to the semifinal.

Spain progressed by edging Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals thanks to an 87th-minute winner from Mikel Merino. The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten streak to 37 matches, matching the longest streak in international football history set by Italy between 2018 and 2021.

With the win, Spain will play in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium. They will face the winner of the other semifinal between England and Argentina.

France will contest the third-place match on July 18 in Miami.

The semifinal marked the second World Cup meeting between the nations. France won 3-1 in the 2006 round of 16, while Spain had also beaten Les Bleus in the Euro 2024 semifinal and the Nations League last year.

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Abraka Metro

DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 Celebrates Creativity Despite Heavy Rainfall

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By Blessing Alumona and Miracle Akpoyovwvayire

The second edition of the DELSU Photo Festival was held on July 17, 2026, in front of the university Sports Complex. Although the programme was originally scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., persistent rainfall delayed the event until about 2:00 p.m. A large canopy was provided to shield participants from the rain, while lively music entertained students as they arrived at the venue.

The event opened on a cheerful note with comedy and light-hearted remarks by Professor Odion Odiboh, creating an exciting atmosphere despite the weather. This was followed by the official opening address delivered by Comrade Regina Egbiamiye, President of the Department of Journalism. After her remarks, the pageantry segment commenced, with contestants representing the Departments of Mass Communication, Journalism, and Broadcasting showcasing their confidence and creativity. At the same time, judges assessed students’ photography projects while music kept the audience entertained.

One of the highlights of the festival was an interactive question-and-answer session that actively involved students and kept the audience engaged. Student union representatives, departmental executives, lecturers, and students participated throughout the programme, contributing to its lively and memorable atmosphere.

Speaking after the event, Faith Ogbotor, a 200-level Journalism student, described the festival as enjoyable and memorable. She said that although the heavy rainfall affected the programme, it did not prevent participants from having a rewarding experience.

READ ALSO: Poor Maintenance Of Student Hostels Raises Concern In Abraka

Another participant, Tejiri Mathias, a Mass Communication student, also commended the event but expressed concerns about what he described as partiality during some of the games. He suggested that improvements could be made in future editions to ensure fairness.

The festival concluded with the announcement of winners from the three departments. Four students emerged as winners from the Department of Broadcasting, twelve from the Department of Journalism, and twenty-two from the Department of Mass Communication. Each department also selected three overall outstanding winners through a voting process, and the successful participants received awards in recognition of their performances.

The celebration ended with music, dancing, and the distribution of refreshments to students, lecturers, and student executives. The joyful atmosphere and shared moments of celebration brought the 2026 DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 to a successful and memorable conclusion for everyone in attendance.

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Abraka Metro

Mass Communication Students Display Talent In Football Match

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By Favour Otomewo

Students of the Department of Mass Communication at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, showcased their sporting talents during an exciting football match held at the university sports complex on June 25, 2026.

The friendly encounter, organised to promote unity and teamwork among students, attracted a large crowd of supporters from various departments. The match featured the Mass Communication team against a selected side from another department, with both teams displaying impressive skill, determination, and sportsmanship.

From the opening whistle, the game was fiercely contested as players battled for possession and created several scoring opportunities. The Mass Communication team took an early lead through a well-placed strike in the first half, sending their supporters into celebration.

The opposing team responded strongly after the break, equalising with a powerful shot that left the goalkeeper with little chance. However, the Mass Communication students maintained their composure and secured victory with a late goal, winning the match 2–1.

READ ALSO: Abraka Residents Advocate Entrepreneurship, Warn Against Gambling Amid Economic Hardship

Speaking after the game, the team captain, John Efe, praised his teammates for their commitment and teamwork, noting that the victory reflected the hard work they had put into their training sessions.

Students who attended the event described the match as entertaining and commended the organisers for creating an avenue for social interaction, healthy competition, and friendship among undergraduates.

The football encounter formed part of the department’s efforts to encourage student participation in sporting activities and strengthen relationships across departments within the university community.

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Entertainment

Domineering Spain Edge Argentina 1-0 In Extra Time To Clinch 2026 World Championship

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Spain are world champions again after Ferran Torres scored a late winner in extra time to defeat defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

The victory at MetLife Stadium, in front of 80,663 fans, gives La Roja their second World Cup title, 16 years after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.

Argentina, bidding to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back titles, were reduced to 10 men late in regulation.

After 90 minutes ended goalless, the match turned in the closing minutes of normal time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card following a tackle on Pau Cubarsi.

With the numerical advantage, Spain broke through late in extra time.

Ferran Torres slammed home to put Spain ahead with minutes remaining, sealing a 1-0 win and sparking wild celebrations from the Spanish bench.

Spain reached the final with a composed 2-0 semi-final victory over France in Dallas, extending a run that has seen them concede just one goal all tournament.

Argentina advanced with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi assisting both goals in the 85th and 91st minutes.

The final marked the first ever World Cup decider between the reigning world champions and the current European champions, and pitted the tournament’s top-ranked teams.

It also featured a generational duel between 39-year-old Messi, who finished with 8 goals in the tournament, and 19-year-old Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Spain are now two-time world champions after winning in 2010. The Spanish women are also reigning world champions, having beaten England in 2023.

Argentina, champions in 1978, 1986 and 2022, fall just short in their bid for a fourth title. Messi was chasing a second straight World Cup after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar.

The match was played at New York New Jersey Stadium, home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets, and was broadcast live on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish in the U.S.

The final also featured FIFA’s first-ever World Cup halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

With the 2026 tournament, the first expanded to 48 teams, concluding in New Jersey, Spain leave as champions — and Argentina as runners-up in a final that lived up to its billing as a clash of Europe vs South America.


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