Governor Susan Kihika (in black top), Senator Aaron Cheruiyot (L) and Sam Mburu in the stadium before the Spain-France World Cup semi-final on July 14, 2026. /SAM MBURU/FACEBOOKNakuru Governor Susan Kihika, her husband Sam Mburu and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot were among thousands of football fans who witnessed one of the biggest matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup live as Spain swept aside France to book a place in the final.
Mburu shared the memorable moment on his Facebook page shortly before kick-off, posting photos from the stands alongside Kihika and Cheruiyot with a location pin and the caption: "Dallas, Texas, France Vs Spain, World Cup 26."
The trio found themselves at the heart of an electric atmosphere inside Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where anticipation had reached fever pitch for a clash many football pundits and fans had dubbed the "final before the final."
With both European heavyweights arriving unbeaten, expectations were sky-high. Many supporters believed the evenly matched sides would need extra time or even penalties to settle the contest.
Instead, Spain produced a commanding display that few saw coming.
France entered the semi-final as slight favourites, buoyed by a flawless campaign that had seen them win all three Group I matches before overcoming Paraguay in the Round of 16 and Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Much of the pre-match spotlight was on captain Kylian Mbappé, who walked into the match level with Argentina's Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Backed by the creativity of Ousmane Dembélé, Mbappé was expected to spearhead France's bid for a third World Cup title after triumphs in 1998 and 2018.
But Spain had other plans. From the opening exchanges, La Roja dictated the tempo with slick passing, disciplined defending and composure on the ball, gradually taking control of a contest expected to be far tighter.
The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when France defender Lucas Digne brought down the lively Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area.
Veteran forward Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot, sending the Spanish supporters into a frenzy while leaving the French faithful stunned.
Governor Kihika, Cheruiyot and Mburu in Dallas, USA, July 14, 2026. /SAM MBURU/FACEBOOK
France attempted to respond after the break, pushing more bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
However, Mbappé, Dembélé and the rest of the French attack repeatedly ran into a well-drilled Spanish defence that denied them both space and clear scoring opportunities.
Spain effectively sealed victory in the 57th minute when Pedro Porro finished off another incisive attack to make it 2-0.
The second goal all but extinguished France's hopes and transformed the mood inside the stadium, as jubilant Spanish fans celebrated every pass while many French supporters watched in disbelief.
For Kihika, Cheruiyot and Mburu, it was a front-row seat to one of the defining matches of the tournament — a semi-final that ultimately fell well short of the dramatic extra-time battle many had predicted but will be remembered for Spain's tactical discipline and clinical execution.
The victory sends Spain into the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they will face either Argentina or England, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
France, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a campaign that promised so much but ended with their unbeaten run halted and their dream of a third world title slipping away under the bright lights of Arlington.
