Hello fellow fans, the first semi-final has concluded today, with Spain defeating France 2-0 to advance to the final.

World Cup Headlines

Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final to advance to the final. This marks the third consecutive time Spain has eliminated France in the semi-finals of three different major tournaments.
World Cup comments
Focus on the Franco-Spanish War
Deschamps: I have a question for everyone: Was today's referee competent enough to officiate a World Cup semi-final? The fourth and fifth officials around me were very competent, but unfortunately the referee did not listen to their opinions.
[De la Fuente: If the referee was really as bad as Deschamps said, then both sides suffered.]
De la Fuente: If it's really as Deschamps says, then we've both lost out, and I don't think there's any bias involved.
Deschamps: I am very proud of everything the team has achieved. Especially considering the difficult circumstances we have overcome to get here.
[Mbappe: Reaching the final has always been France's dream, and now I am extremely disappointed]
Mbappe: I am very disappointed. Reaching the final has always been our dream, and we hoped to give the country the opportunity to continue dreaming and to make history…
[Rodri: We want to win the World Cup, but the final will definitely be tougher]
Rodri: We want to win this World Cup. We need to rest now, and of course, we also need to analyze where we can improve, because the final will definitely be even tougher.
Cucurella: It doesn't matter who the opponent is in the final. I think both teams are very strong and have very special players.
[Cubasa: Playing in the World Cup final at 19? I hadn't realized the significance of that]
Kubasi: A 19-year-old could start in the World Cup final? I haven't realized the significance of this yet. I'll spend the next few days with my family, and maybe I can slowly process this fact.
Sherki: I think there might be some truth to that. Perhaps when everything is too easy, we start to think of ourselves as superior. Yes, that's certainly true.
Macron: Congratulations to Spain on reaching the final. Our team is young and has a bright future.
French President Macron: Congratulations to the Spanish team on their advancement! Thank you for defending our flag with such passion. Tonight's defeat is painful, but this team is very young and has a bright future.

Focus on the England-Argentina match
Tuchel: Argentina has no obvious weaknesses; I did consider man-marking Messi.
Tuchel: Argentina is very united and doesn't panic when they're behind. They are a highly competitive team with high-level, experienced players in every position.
[Tuchel: We will not use the history between England and Argentina as motivation; Rice can start]
Tuchel: This is a clash between arch-rivals. These are two great national teams. Any football fan who follows the World Cup knows this matchup and what it means.
[Guy: Argentina needs to defend their World Cup title; the pressure is on them]
Goy: We have no pressure. What pressure? The pressure is on them. They are the world champions. They need to step up, they need to defend their title. We have absolutely no pressure.
Scaloni: I am very grateful to my players for leading us back to the World Cup semi-finals. Regardless of whether we reach the final, we must highly value the team's achievements so far.
Scaloni: We may make some adjustments. But the starting point is always how to create threats for our opponents while limiting their strengths.
Kane: Argentina is a tough opponent, and hopefully this challenge will bring out our best form.
Kane: Argentina is certainly a very tough opponent, but hopefully this challenge will bring out our best form.
[O'Reilly: Matching up against Messi is a big challenge, but I believe in my abilities]
O'Reilly: Matching up against Messi is indeed a big challenge and very difficult, but I believe in my abilities.
Alvarez: We are just one step away from reaching the World Cup final again. We will give everything on the field and try our best to put Argentina at the top.
Panoramic World Cup

[Deschamps to play his final match as France's head coach in the World Cup third-place game]
[Number of World Cup final appearances: Spain equals Hungary with 2, Germany has the most with 8]
[Aiming for the championship, Spain reaches the World Cup final for the second time in its history]
[Euro 2016 or Euro 2016? Spain will face either England or Argentina in the World Cup final]
France suffers its first defeat on Bastille Day after losing to Spain in the World Cup semi-final.
[France's World Cup exit dashes Kylian Mbappé's hopes of winning his first Ballon d'Or]
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Match Preview
Thursday, July 16
3:00 World Cup Semi-Final England vs Argentina



