Spain reaches World Cup final – Deschamps criticizes referee after elimination

France coach Didier Deschamps, who has been in charge of the team since 2012 and led them to the 2018 World Cup title as well as the 2022 final, reacted angrily after the final whistle. He publicly questioned the referee's performance: "Do you believe the referee was good enough to officiate a semifinal? … Some decisions were 'questionable.'" Match analysis showed, however, that the controversial penalty decision following a foul by Lucas Digne on Lamine Yamal in the box was not among the disputed calls.

Deschamps criticizes the referee

Spain needed only two shots on goal – both found the net. The team controlled midfield for long stretches and forced the French attack to chase the ball. "Spain was the better team than France over many phases of the match," Mundo Deportivo wrote. France's forward line of Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola never got into the game through pace. "Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé and Barcola wanted to use their speed to put the Spaniards on the run, but in the end they were the ones repeatedly chasing the ball," Mundo Deportivo reported.

From a French perspective, the match was an unlucky one. Referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador showed Saliba a yellow-red card after 30 minutes due to injury – No, he had to leave the pitch through injury; Saliba limped off after 30 minutes and was replaced by Maxence Lacroix. In addition, Rabiot, Mbappé and Cucurella received yellow cards. Mbappé failed to score – after previously eight tournament goals, it was only the second goalless match for the captain in his seventh World Cup appearance.

"We were not at the level required to reach the final," Mbappé said, adding that the team had allowed Spain, "a team that loves to control the ball and the game," too much control. "We allowed them that." Regarding the upcoming third-place match, he said: "Because he deserves it. And the fans deserve it." He was referring to the departure of Deschamps, who will coach the match against a yet-to-be-determined opponent as his final appearance as national team coach.

Voices of those involved

Deschamps himself spoke of disappointment. "There is great disappointment in the dressing room," the 57-year-old said, adding: "Spain defended well." He was nevertheless proud of what had been achieved: "I am very proud of everything we have accomplished with the national team. I have experienced many great moments. This time was 'not such a moment.'"

The international press reacted with strong words. The French sports daily L'Équipe headlined "Disaster in Dallas" and spoke of a "genuine football lesson." The Spanish newspaper As called the performance "A lesson for the world" and compared the match to the 2010 World Cup final in Durban: "Swap Durban for Dallas, replace Puyol with Oyarzabal and Porro, and the story has a happy ending." The Guardian wrote: "For everyone who had written Spain off as underdogs, this was a spectacular lesson."

International press reaction

The British tabloid The Sun commented on the symbolism of the date: the match was played on France's national holiday, July 14. "Today is France's national holiday, an irony of history, as their World Cup dreams ended as in Pompeii." The Portuguese sports paper A Bola wrote: "On France's national holiday, only 'Olés' could be heard." The Argentine newspaper Olé reported: "Spain has stopped the French machine."

Coach Luis de la Fuente spoke of a historic evening after the match. "It makes us so proud that our King has called us and that we could bring such joy to the people in the streets." Looking ahead to the final, he said: "Now we have taken this final step and we want to claim this title." Goalkeeper Unai Simón, who had conceded only one goal in the tournament so far and whose saves were reminiscent of Manuel Neuer in his prime, once again provided a secure foundation.

The situation ahead of the final is special for Spain: the team has not lost a competitive match since March 2023 – apart from the penalty shootout defeat against Portugal in last year's Nations League final. Lamine Yamal, who had celebrated his birthday the day before and had a goal disallowed for offside in the 61st minute, celebrated reaching the final on Instagram: Pedri had posted the date "July 19, 2026."

The statistics show Spanish efficiency: two shots on goal, two goals. "A lesson for the world," As wrote. Pedro Porro, whose goal originated from a one-two with Dani Olmo, said: "I could not have dreamed of this."

Outlook on the final and the succession

France thus missed out on reaching a third consecutive World Cup final. "Didier Deschamps's team will not play a third consecutive final," Le Figaro wrote. Instead, the third-place match takes place on Saturday in Miami Gardens – for Deschamps, his final game as national team coach.

Speculation is already underway regarding his successor: according to reports in French media, Zinédine Zidane, who became world champion as a player in 1998, is expected to take over the role. No official confirmation had been issued at the time of reporting.

The final will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford. There, Spain will face the winner of the second semifinal between Argentina and England. Lionel Messi, with eight goals – as many as Mbappé – shares the all-time World Cup scoring lead with the Frenchman.

"Spain reaches its second World Cup final after a magnificent match against France," the Swiss NZZ summarized. "The moment has come again: on to the World Cup final! In a World Cup semifinal, a match for the chosen few, Spain delivered an unforgettable performance," Marca wrote of the evening in Texas, on which the Spanish wave overwhelmed the French.