Spain's coach de la Fuente calls World Cup semi‑final against France a ‘final before the final’

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter‑final win over Belgium that the upcoming semi‑final against France at Dallas Stadium will be “a final before the final”. He praised his side’s ability to beat any team and noted Spain’s previous victories over France in Euro 2024 and the 2005 Nations League.

Norway’s striker Erling Haaland’s father, former international Alf‑Inge Haaland, criticised the refereeing after Norway’s 2‑1 quarter‑final loss to England in Miami, claiming key decisions favoured the English side. He highlighted the disallowed goal of Torbjørn Heggem and suggested the officiating, rather than football, determined the result.