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Spain Faces Backlash for Dropping Pedri From World Cup Semifinal Lineup
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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First reported by N12 · Jul 10, 2026
What happened
Spain shocked fans by dropping midfielder Pedri from their World Cup 2026 semifinal lineup against Belgium, opting for Fabian Ruiz instead. Spanish media criticized coach Luis de la Fuente's risky decision, highlighting Pedri's importance and the challenge of integrating him with Rodri. Spain aims to reach the final with this altered midfield setup.
- 01Spain excludes key midfielder Pedri from World Cup 2026 semifinal lineup against Belgium.
- 02Coach Luis de la Fuente reverts to Euro 2024 midfield trio without Pedri due to tactical choice.
- 03Spanish media brands the decision as risky and surprising ahead of a crucial match.
- 04Fabian Ruiz replaces Pedri in starting eleven, sparking debate over team strategy.
- 05Critics note de la Fuente has struggled to maximize Pedri's potential compared to Barcelona coach Xavi.
- 06Match scheduled for Friday evening, July 10, 2026, with Spain aiming for the final.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
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