Press Comments
Spain taught France a lesson in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, advancing to the final while “Les Bleus” sank into despair and received harsh criticism in the media.
Spain secured a place in the World Cup final for the second time, delivering an ” unforgettable performance” with a commanding 2-0 victory over France. The media headlined this match, reflecting the stark contrast in emotion between the two nations – where the fireworks for the French National Day were “canceled.”
France’s Disappointment
“L’Equipe”: “The French team was declassed by Spain and eliminated in the semi-finals against an impressive Spanish team. On July 14, there was no day of glory. The French national team missed its third consecutive World Cup final. After a tournament in which the team was not exposed to any real challenges, ‘Les Bleus’ received a lesson from the Spaniards in Arlington.“
“Le Figaro”: “Heavy disappointment for ‘Les Bleus’, who were knocked out by ‘La Roja’ just before the final. Didier Deschamps’ team faced a stronger opponent on Tuesday. They will not be competing in their third consecutive final.“
“Le Parisien”: “The fireworks are canceled. On Tuesday evening in Dallas, the ‘Bleus’ were overwhelmed by the red Spanish wave. Now they will play for third place on Saturday. A bitter disappointment; the Équipe Tricolore found no solution against ‘La Roja.’“
Spain’s Triumph
“Marca”: “In a World Cup semi-final, a match for the elite, Spain delivered an unforgettable performance. The Spanish national team opened the Prado and the Louvre at night, entering their second World Cup final. Oyarzabal and Porro scored the goals for a team where Rodri was the leader.“
“Mundo Deportivo”: “Spain was the better team for many phases of the game. Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, and Barcola wanted to push the Spaniards with their speed, but in the end, they were the ones chasing the ball.“
“Sport”: “Spain is in the final of the 2026 World Cup. The team will fight for the second star after showing France and the world that with talent, everything is achievable. Dani Olmo exemplified a player with class, leading a well-deserved victory with goals from Oyarzabal and Porro.“
“The Guardian”: “Spain reached the World Cup final after Oyarzabal and Porro sunk the disappointing French team. This was a spectacular lesson for all who underestimated Spain. They enjoyed imparting a lesson and relegating France to the sidelines.“
Global Reactions
“The Sun”: “Blew them away! Shock for ‘Les Bleus.’ They were surprisingly eliminated. Spain laid the groundwork for a potential World Cup final against England after a stunning victory over a disappointing favorite.“
“The Daily Mail”: “Disgraceful ‘Les Bleus.’ We all expected France to be superior to Spain, even though we knew how strong Luis de la Fuente’s team is. It is not just about the outcome, but also about the performance. They were far from achieving their self-imposed goals in this World Cup.“
This matchup highlighted the disparity between expectations and results, with Spain’s tactical brilliance overshadowing France’s struggles, leaving the football world eager for the final showdown.
