Hates Mbappe, Goes Crazy for Yamal: Madrid Celebrated Advancing to the Final

15.7.2026 / 12:00

The World Cup god helped Nir Kipnis choose the Spanish capital as the right destination to cover the street atmosphere. The courage of the young people to speak out against the Real star and in favor of Barcelona's diamond did not overshadow the outburst of joy, and to top it off everyone united to sing curses at the prime minister. Report from Madrid

Summary: Spain - France 0:2/Here 11

Today about four weeks ago: When the match between Spain and Cape Verde ended 0:0, my heart sank. With all due respect to the automatic identification with the underdog, the tickets for two weeks in Madrid were already ready in my pockets, along with the plan to cover developments in the World Cup from here (including the possibility that I would need to fly from here to Lisbon, Paris, Berlin, Brussels - and even Amsterdam was then on the list).

But the World Cup god was on my side - not only is it now clear that I will not need to leave, for work purposes, the city that in my eyes is the tastiest city among all European capitals, but also that on Sunday the "match" awaits me here, the one and only (and since things are written on the morning of the second match, I will add that it does not matter at all who wins tonight, Argentina or England, in any case it will be a great final).

Those who follow my Madrid stories remember how I traded watching the quarterfinal on a giant screen in Colon Square, hot from the heat (and not as a metaphor), for an air-conditioned pub. Well, last night we left our apartment, just a few train stations from RECOLETOS station, two hours before the match, to soak up some atmosphere.

The train stations were painted red, crowds in national team shirts filled the cars and then stood in a long line in front of the compound gates and... then Madrid police announced that they would not allow any more spectators into the compound. In Israel they would already be waving at the police and collapsing the compound, but soccer fans in Spain are much calmer - a crowd of tens of thousands disperses quietly, turning every available television screen - in a pub, restaurant, cafe or even kiosks and street eateries - into an improvised screening compound.

Spain national team fans in Madrid/Nir Kipnis

Madrid Comprehensive High School

The disappointment is replaced by an unexpected sense of "togetherness." Indeed, in an era when home screens have become as wide as cinema screens, dozens of people now crowd in front of a small screen the size of a computer monitor - if only the game were broadcast in black and white, the "retro" atmosphere would be perfect. We hold a quick consultation. At first we consider showing the police officer our press cards. The problem - it is not certain that an official document from the State of Israel is something worth displaying in public these days. The second option, in the form of a nearby Irish pub, also collapses fairly quickly - hundreds of people have already preceded us and are besieging its doors.

What remains? Two chairs at a terrible angle in something that is a kind of upgraded eatery, almost collapsing from so many young patrons. That is, some of them look too young even to sip beer legally (not to mention practically, as the sink in the restroom will testify at halftime). Thus it happened that for most of the match, we were together with what looked like 11th grade class 7 at Madrid Comprehensive High School.

If the young people have an advantage, that is - besides the fact that their whole future is ahead of them - it is that they do not care. For example, I learn that Kylian Mbappe, despite being a city resident and Real Madrid player, is not liked even by the team's fans. It is funny to see boys in Blancos shirts screaming in chorus: "Mbappe, hijo de puta!"

Spain

Spain national team fans who remained outside the World Cup semifinal viewing compound/Nir Kipnis

In contrast, Lamine Yamal, the man who brought the hated Barcelona the championship - and immediately afterward brought Israeli soccer fans the clause, when he celebrated with a Palestinian flag as if he were the Egyptian coach - is a kind of idol even in Madrid. Every time the ball reaches him a murmur rises from the crowd - and between us? Justifiably - because that is how the first goal arrives, relatively quickly - while I try to fight for a reasonable viewing angle where the restaurant's fluorescent lights will not flicker on the screen.

At 2:0 we decide to vacate two difficult-angle spots in front of the screen - and try to approach the fan compound again. Thus it happens that we catch Lamine Yamal's third goal in front of a restaurant that rises to the heavens with the chant "Espanol, Espanol" (to the tune of the famous Russian "Kalinka"). From there we continue to the nearby cafe, only to discover that the joy was premature - and the goal was disallowed... In any case, right at the whistle we returned to the compound, its gates still locked, but after the roars of joy at the end, an exit of fans from it is allowed, which gives us a glimpse inside.

Spain national team fans singing against the prime minister/Nir Kipnis

Election Atmosphere

Around us stand hundreds like us, who thought that perhaps the victory party would allow them to flow inside - and when that does not happen, they perform what looks like a tribute to Israel. The truth? I am not entirely sure that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's extreme anti-Israel policy is the reason, but hundreds of fans jump and shout "Pedro Sanchez, hijo de puta!" moments before they go on to continue the celebration on the train.

Faced with this outburst of singing, the Israeli couple in the crowd can only smile from ear to ear, not only at the joy that has spread in the place, but mainly in light of the fact that they bet correctly when they chose to take their honeymoon to Madrid - the city that can no longer wait for Sunday. As for one Israeli viewer, at least regarding him I commit: this time I will arrive at the compound at least four hours in advance, because after all - after two weeks here, I too am already Espanol, Espanol, Espanol!