Spain Advances to World Cup Final as France Faces Humiliating Exit

Spain has secured its place in the World Cup final, delivering a crushing defeat to France, who now grapples with disappointment on their national holiday. International media have dubbed the match a "lesson" for the French team.

Spain: "A Lesson for the World"

Marca: "Spain is in the World Cup final! For the second time in our lives, we will compete for the title of world champion! We want the second star!"

AS: "A lesson for the world."

Mundo Deportivo: "After the lost Nations League final, they announced it. 'July 19, 2026,' posted Pedri on Instagram. The date of the World Cup final. And Lamine Yamal shared it. They kept their word."

El País: "Spain has made history once again. After 16 years, the Spanish national team is back in the World Cup final."

RMC Sport: "Les Bleus crash out in the World Cup semi-finals, their American dream abruptly ends. France never found a way to counter the impressively composed Spaniards."

USA: "Spain Underestimated"

The Athletic: "Perhaps we underestimated Spain. Maybe we were so focused on France, Kylian Mbappé, and the rest of their potent attack that we overlooked the quality of the Spanish team, which has not lost a match since March 2023, barring the penalty shootout loss to Portugal in last year's Nations League final."

England: "Poor Les Bleus"

Daily Mail: "Poor Les Bleus. We all expected France to be superior to Spain, even though we knew how strong Luis de la Fuente's team was. It’s not just about the result, which was certainly possible, but especially about the performance. They fell far short of their self-imposed goals in this World Cup."

The Guardian: "For those who had dismissed Spain as underdogs, this was a spectacular lesson. They relished delivering this lesson by securing a top match in New Jersey on Sunday, relegating France to mere bystanders."

The Sun: "Sacre bleu. France stumbles at the final hurdle. This was not how the team envisioned the end of the Deschamps era. What will hurt their supporters even more is that their team floundered in Dallas on a day that coincided with their national holiday, an ironic twist of fate, as their World Cup dreams ended like Pompeii."

Italy: "Spanish Revolution" and "Blue Tears"

Gazzetta dello Sport: "Spain, triumphing under 'Olé' chants: France was soundly defeated. After 16 years, 'La Roja' is back in the final."

Corriere dello Sport: "Spanish revolution in Dallas: Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro destroy France on July 14."

Tuttosport: "Blue tears. Mbappé and France head home: Spain, a football lesson, and the World Cup final awaits."

Switzerland: "The Downfall of Les Bleus"

Blick: "France brings Yamal and itself down. The first finalist of the 2026 World Cup is confirmed: Spain defeats France 2-0 and has the chance for a second title on Sunday. A foul on Lamine Yamal in the penalty area marked the beginning of the downfall for Les Bleus."

NZZ: "Spain unravels France and reaches the World Cup final for the first time since 2010—once again, the anti-hero Mikel Oyarzabal leads the way."