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Aguirre Bids Farewell with Pride, Backs Marquez to Lead Mexico Forward

Mexico's national team coach Javier Aguirre speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 04 July 2026. (EPA)
Mexico's national team coach Javier Aguirre speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 04 July 2026. (EPA)
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Aguirre Bids Farewell with Pride, Backs Marquez to Lead Mexico Forward

Mexico's national team coach Javier Aguirre speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 04 July 2026. (EPA)
Mexico's national team coach Javier Aguirre speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 04 July 2026. (EPA)

Javier Aguirre backed Rafa Marquez to lead Mexico into the future after the co-hosts' World Cup run ended with a 3-2 defeat by England on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on Aguirre's third spell in charge.

Aguirre, who had already made clear he would leave his role after the tournament, said former Mexico captain Marquez was ready to continue the work done with a ‌squad that ‌restored belief during the country's deepest World Cup ‌run ⁠in 40 years.

England ⁠booked their place in the quarter-finals after surviving a late Mexico push at the Azteca Stadium, where the home side fell short despite a spirited fightback.

"I would have liked to say goodbye to my people with a victory. That hurts," Aguirre told reporters. "We tried."

Jude Bellingham's quickfire double put England in control before Julian Quinones pulled one back for ⁠Mexico. Harry Kane added a second-half penalty after England ‌had been reduced to 10 men, ‌and Raul Jimenez's late spot-kick was not enough to prevent Mexico's exit.

"The players ‌need to leave with their heads held high," Aguirre said. "Today it ‌could not be. We failed to capitalize, but I want to thank them all."

The match, delayed by one hour because of adverse weather around the Azteca, was played in front of a passionate home crowd that Aguirre ‌has often described as Mexico's "12th player".

The fans roared Mexico on in the closing stages, chanting "yes we can" ⁠as the ⁠co-hosts pushed for an equalizer, but England held firm to advance to a quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday.

Aguirre said he was leaving with pride despite the pain of elimination, pointing to the unity of the squad and the renewed connection with supporters.

"I leave with a lot of pride," he said. "These players made me very happy. We recovered the sense of belonging and the identity of this team."

Marquez, who captained Mexico at five World Cups and worked alongside Aguirre during the tournament, is expected to take the project forward after the veteran coach's departure.

"I wish him the best," Aguirre said. "He is more than capable, and he will do better than me."

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Spain ‘Favorites' Says Deschamps Ahead of World Cup Semi-Final Showdown

France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
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Spain ‘Favorites' Says Deschamps Ahead of World Cup Semi-Final Showdown

France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
France’s national team head coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. (EPA)

France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favorites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.

France take on Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday in a match widely seen as a collision of the best two teams in the tournament.

While Deschamps' side have lit up the World Cup with a string of scintillating performances, Spain's campaign has built momentum gradually following a shock 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their opening game.

Deschamps, though, maintains that France -- beaten by Spain in their last two meetings -- will be the underdog on Tuesday.

"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said of Spain's campaign. "Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favorites.

"I don't want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (De la Fuente) and their team -- he knows very well that people are expecting great things of Spain.

"But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."

Spain coach De la Fuente meanwhile smiled when asked for his response to Deschamps' comments at an eve-of-game press conference.

"Since the beginning, I've always said that the fact that people say we're favorites or not doesn't mean anything," De la Fuente told reporters. "It doesn't. It's not decisive."

"We are two great national teams facing each other, just as there are two great national teams facing each other in the other semi-final," De la Fuente added, stressing that his team was comfortable living with the pressure to succeed.

"Regardless of whether we're favorites or not, it doesn't mean create additional pressure," he said. "We have that pressure anyway. We want to do well for our country."

Deschamps meanwhile believes Tuesday's game has all the makings of a classic.

"With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game," he said.

Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.

"We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths," Deschamps said.

"Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he's one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch.

"And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions.

"When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either."

Deschamps confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe, who left the quarter-final win over Morocco late in the second half after taking a knock, was "100 percent" fit for the semi-final.

Sports

Norway Turn World Cup Heartbreak into Celebration as Huge Crowds Pack Capital

Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
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Norway Turn World Cup Heartbreak into Celebration as Huge Crowds Pack Capital

Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)
Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)

More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their football team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their World Cup exit into a massive national celebration.

A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway's historic run to an end in the quarter-finals, shattering the Nordics' dreams of a place in the last four. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes.

Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace ‌early on Monday ‌afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 ‌people.

The ⁠Norway squad touched ⁠down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.

The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald.

The team then stepped out to greet the fans with the Royal Guard standing to attention behind them.

Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left ⁠early.

His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the ‌palace steps for one last "Viking row", with tens of ‌thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.

"Erling ‌and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was ‌delayed four hours," coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open-top bus parade around Oslo.

Crowds slowed the bus to a halt through central Oslo, forcing it to reverse at one point as police escorts struggled to carve out a path. ‌Undeterred, Norway's players celebrated with beer and waved as the party continued long after dark.

CABLES PAUSE NORWEGIAN CELEBRATIONS

There was a moment ⁠of irony when ⁠the parade was halted by low-hanging overhead cables. The players, who had been standing and waving flags on the top deck, were forced to sit down to clear the obstruction before the double-decker could proceed.

Solbakken said earlier he was convinced the ball hit a camera cable above the pitch just before Jude Bellingham scored England's equalizer in the first half of the quarter-final.

World soccer's governing body FIFA has repeatedly denied that the ball touched any wire before the goal.

Hours after the parade began, it completed the 1.3-km route at City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of patient supporters were still waiting to welcome the team.

"I don't think anyone had imagined this," captain Martin Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway, has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see."

Sports

Lamine’s Great World Cup Day Still to Come, Says Spain’s De la Fuente

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
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Lamine’s Great World Cup Day Still to Come, Says Spain’s De la Fuente

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)

Spain coach Luis de la ‌Fuente has told Lamine Yamal to pack away the birthday candles and any nerves, saying the teenager's grandest World Cup moment may come against France in Tuesday's semi-final or on an even bigger stage.

Lamine turned 19 on the eve of the meeting in Dallas and De la Fuente, who has long preached joy over jitters, said the forward should embrace rather than carry the occasion.

"I've told him there is no need to worry – let him enjoy himself. I'm sure Lamine’s great World Cup day is still to come. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, then in the final, if we can get there," De la Fuente told reporters.

Lamine has gradually been finding form after entering the World ‌Cup nursing a ‌hamstring injury he suffered after converting a penalty for Barcelona ‌in ⁠late April. He ⁠has scored one goal and failed to set up any at the tournament so far.

Spain beat France 5-4 in last year's Nations League semi-finals, but De la Fuente said the rematch would be another beast, particularly after the Spaniards almost let a 5-1 lead evaporate in the final 15 minutes.

"We learn a lot from those matches, as they will have done," he said. "We will try to repeat the scenarios where situations were favorable to us ⁠and not the others."

The Spain manager framed the contest as ‌a clash of "antagonistic styles" and said his side must ‌be wary of France's "very dangerous" transitions.

Asked how Spain stop forwards Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and ‌Michael Olise, De la Fuente said there had been no shortage of homework.

"We’ve analyzed ‌them very, very thoroughly. They have players of exceptional caliber, but so do we. The key is to impose our own characteristics and style, and to neutralize the opposition. That’s football. The more balanced side is usually closer to winning, although that’s no guarantee," he said.

De la Fuente ‌said France were better than the side Spain beat in 2025, with both teams sharpened by time, and insisted he would ⁠not be drawn ⁠into France coach Didier Deschamps' suggestion that Spain are favorites, dismissing the label as little more than pre-match confetti.

"Being told you are favorites or not means nothing," De la Fuente said. "We are both great teams, like in the other semi-final (England v Argentina). I don’t understand why people say such things because whether we’re the favorites or not is completely irrelevant."

De la Fuente, who described himself as "very romantic" and joked that he likes Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias, said his final message to the players would be to enjoy a moment that may not come around again.

"I tell the players that we need to enjoy ourselves; we’re in a situation that might never happen again. That we be ourselves, and that we be wary of the opposition’s strengths. We absolutely must believe we want to go through. We’ll give it our all to reach the final," De la Fuente added.