Favourites France subjugated themselves to a thrashing from Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. The two-time champions were humbled 2-0 to mark a third straight elimination from major tournaments at the hands of La Roja in the last two years.
Spain dominated possession right from kick off as they traded blows with France in the initial stages. The men in red kept moving the ball into dangerous areas, while Les Bleus threatened on the counter.
However, the momentum firmly swung in Spain’s favour after a careless Lucas Digne blow on Lamine Yamal earned them a penalty just before the first hydration break. Mikal Oyarzabal made no mistakes from the spot to leave France trailing for the first time in the tournament.
The result was well and truly sealed in the second half when Pedro Porro converted utter Spanish domination into results with a piece of artistry. In the 58th minute, the full-back executed a dizzying give and go with Dani Olmo, whose exquisite touch left Porro one-on-one with Mike Maignan inside the box.
Porro calmly slotted the ball into the net and immediately burst into delirium as he wheeled away in celebration. His teammates from the bench and the field piled all over him, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the occasion.
Once the adrenaline had quietened a little and Porro was left alone in the corner to relish his moment of glory, the 26-year-old pulled out a crowd pleaser. The Spanish fullback sat on the ground and raised his fist in celebration, with a huge grin planted on his face.
Fans online immediately drew parallels with a iconic moment from one of the best selling manga series of all time, Blue Lock. The anime revolves around Japan’s search for an unabashed force of nature up front after a disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign.
One of the major prospects of the Blue Lock project is the naturally gifted Nagi. Representing the academy against Japan U-20, the youngster performs a stunning fake volley before flicking the ball past two defenders and blasting a spinning volley into the top right corner.
The stadium falls eerily silent in sheer shock of the marvel they had witnessed. The ever-stoic Nagi, not knowing what to do, sits down and raises his fist to produce one of the series’ most iconic celebrations.
However, Porro’s connection with Blue Lock runs deeper.
The Spaniard revealed the gesture was his son’s way of imitating Porro’s success, thus making the celebration a tribute to him.
“When people ask him how I celebrate goals, he makes that gesture; he was in the front row, so I celebrated that way for him,” Porro had told Marca.
“I’m very happy, especially to have my parents, my wife, and my children here. Honestly, it always gives you an extra boost. In the future, when he understands what it meant to have my son in the stands watching me, I’ll be so happy about that.”
Porro and his son will undoubtedly be hoping to see another recreation of the pose when Spain take on either Argentina or England in the World Cup final in New Jersey.
