Between sarcasm and admiration lies a thin line, chosen by the Argentine newspaper "Olé" to ignite the rivalry early before the 2026 World Cup semifinal.

While newspapers in Buenos Aires celebrated France's expected victory over Morocco, the front page of the most widely circulated newspaper bore a seemingly provocative title: "They Are Already Champions", accompanied by a hand sign for warding off the evil eye.

The Argentinians did not wait long to revive the historic rivalry with France. One day after the "Roosters" qualified for the 2026 World Cup semifinal after their 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston on Thursday evening, a photo of Didier Deschamps' players celebrating graced the front page of the daily "Olé" on Friday, July 10, 2026, under the striking headline: "They Are Already Champions".

The headline, which at first glance seemed sarcastic, was accompanied by an emoji of horns, a gesture well known in South America for warding off bad luck and the evil eye. But behind this journalistic "superstition", "Olé" did not hide its explicit admiration for the French national team. The newspaper did not hint, not even with a single word, at any arrogance on the part of the 2018 and 2022 world champions.

On the contrary, the content was a clear tribute to France "the invincible", as it described them. The newspaper wrote in its subtitle: "The French team qualified for the semifinals thanks to two brilliant goals, thus confirming its status as the top favorite to win." It also specifically mentioned team captain Kylian Mbappé, praising the talent of the group led by Deschamps.

This coverage proves that the rivalry between France and Argentina has not subsided since the epic 2022 World Cup final, and as the semifinal approaches, all possibilities are open to recreate that historic scene. But until then, "Olé" chooses to play the game its way: a mix of humor, superstition, and full recognition that France, so far, is "irresistible".

#LaTapaDeOlé | Friday, July 10 📰 pic.twitter.com/2XoECpwu4D

— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) July 10, 2026