Spain midfielder Rodri has hit out at the officiating standards during La Roja's World Cup semi-final victory over France, claiming teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is not being afforded enough protection. Despite securing a place in the final, the Manchester City star expressed his frustration at the rough treatment handed out to the Barcelona wonderkid.
Didier Deschamps was left fuming with the officiating as France saw their dreams of a third consecutive World Cup final crushed by a clinical Spain side in Texas. The Les Bleus boss pointed the finger at referee Ivan Barton following a controversial first-half penalty that set the tone for a miserable night.
Against all the odds and pre-match conjecture, it is Spain who progressed to the final of the 2026 World Cup after overcoming France and their fabled forward line with alarming ease in Dallas on Tuesday. It was quite incredible just how routine the 2-0 victory was, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all failing to show up as the tournament favourites bowed out with a whimper.
Luis de la Fuente has issued a chilling warning to Spain's potential World Cup final opponents, declaring that his side currently feel "unbeatable" following their dominant semi-final triumph over France. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured a 2-0 victory in Arlington, booking La Roja's place in the showpiece event in New York this Sunday.
Kylian Mbappe has taken a public swipe at Didier Deschamps' tactical approach following France's disappointing 2-0 World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Spain. The Les Bleus captain did not hold back in his post-match assessment, suggests that a lack of communication and a failed pressing triggers allowed La Roja’s midfield to dominate the contest in Arlington.
Arsenal and France defender William Saliba was forced off the pitch during his nation's World Cup semi-final match against Spain due to a back injury. France ultimately suffered a 2-0 defeat, ending their campaign. Saliba has been managing the issue for several months, and his sudden withdrawal has sparked fears that he may now require surgery ahead of the new season.
Spain secured their place in the 2026 World Cup final with a comprehensive 2-0 win over France on Tuesday. A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second-half strike from Pedro Porro secured victory for La Roja during a dominant display in Dallas that will have struck fear into both England and Argentina as they prepare for their own semi-final.
Football fans are in for an unforgettable spectacle as the 2026 World Cup reaches its grand conclusion. An incredible lineup featuring Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, pop superstar Nicole Scherzinger, and renowned internet personality IShowSpeed will headline the closing ceremony ahead of the final match in New Jersey, promising an unprecedented blend of music, culture, and sporting drama.
Claude Makelele has hailed Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe as the modern-day successor to Ronaldo Nazario, tipping the Frenchman to secure the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The former Los Blancos midfielder believes Mbappe's impact on the world stage puts him in a category of his own among his peers.
Adrien Rabiot has firmly dismissed suggestions that France are engineering a specific tactical blueprint to neutralise Spain winger Lamine Yamal in their World Cup semi-final clash. The midfielder also addressed the lingering fallout from his previous criticism of the Barcelona prodigy, which famously backfired during their Euro 2024 encounter.
Lamine Yamal dismissed suggestions that numerology could influence Spain's World Cup semi-final against France, while taking a swipe at former Portugal boss Roberto Martinez. The teenage winger also insisted he feels no anxiety before the biggest match of his career and remains focused only on helping Spain reach the final.
When Spain's starting line-up for last week's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium was revealed roughly an hour before kick-off, the name of Pedri was immediately conspicuous by its absence. The natural assumption among pundits and supporters was that he was carrying a niggle - which tells you everything you need to know about just how highly the Barcelona star is rated.
Didier Deschamps has confirmed Kylian Mbappe is fit to face Spain in France's World Cup semi-final despite concerns over an ankle problem. The France captain trained separately for part of Monday's session, but his boss insisted the modified workload was only part of his recovery plan ahead of the last-four clash.
Jules Kounde has dismissed any notion that Lamine Yamal's confident remarks ahead of Spain's World Cup semi-final against France have caused unease. The Euro 2024 champions and the 2022 World Cup runners-up are set to battle it out for a place in the final on Tuesday.
Spain captain Rodri believes his side has what it takes to overcome France in their blockbuster World Cup semi-final clash in Dallas. The Manchester City midfielder is drawing confidence from recent victories over Les Bleus as La Roja aim to reach their first global final since 2010.
Bayern Munich have reportedly stepped up their interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde as they look to bolster their backline ahead of the new campaign. The Bundesliga giants have made formal enquiries following the Frenchman's standout performances on the international stage this summer.
Pedro Porro has emerged as a vital component of Spain's starting line-up at the 2026 World Cup, forming a formidable partnership with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. Despite starting the tournament on the bench, the Tottenham defender has become indispensable for Luis de la Fuente on the right flank, and has now opened up on his connection with Yamal.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his immense admiration for Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance, describing the forward's 2026 World Cup campaign as "extraordinary". Speaking from Dallas ahead of the tournament's semi-finals, Laporta also took the opportunity to evaluate the performances of Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon.
Spain captain Rodri has called on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to control his "anxiety" and desire to impress as La Roja prepare for a monumental World Cup semi-final against France. The Manchester City midfielder believes the Barcelona youngster remains a vital component of the team but needs to rediscover his composure to reach peak performance.
Kylian Mbappe will be relishing France's World Cup semi-final clash with Spain more than most. Not only is this the opportunity to exact revenge for the painful defeat to La Roja at the same stage of Euro 2024 two years ago, but the attacker also has the chance to deliver a rebuttal to his vociferous critics back in Madrid after a tumultuous season at club level. What's more, he comes into the showdown in the form of his life.
Ibrahima Konate has hit back at Lamine Yamal’s claims that France should be "afraid" of Spain ahead of their blockbuster World Cup semi-final tie. Speaking from the French camp in Boston, the Real Madrid defender insisted Les Bleus are remaining humble and blocking out external noise.
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have found the perfect remedy for his World Cup heartbreak by escaping on a sunshine getaway with his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez. The Portugal icon was visibly devastated following a narrow round of 16 defeat to Spain, but new images suggest he is embracing a much-needed period of reflection.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that world football's governing body will officially explore expanding the World Cup to a massive 64-team format. Looking ahead to the 2030 tournament, which is set to be primarily hosted in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, Infantino suggested that another 16 nations could be added to the field.
Spain
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