Spain punched its ticket to the World Cup final on Friday, beating France 2-1 in a tense semi-final. But the win came with an awkward moment: defender Aymeric Laporte, who was born in France and switched nationalities in 2021, refused to celebrate after the final whistle. The result also moved the needle on crypto-based prediction markets, where bets on the tournament's outcome shifted sharply.
Laporte's muted reaction
Laporte, a key figure in Spain's backline, walked off the pitch without joining teammates in their on-field celebrations. He didn't wave to fans or acknowledge the victory in the immediate aftermath. It's a personal moment that highlights the complicated ties players can have when they represent a country not their birthplace. Laporte has been a regular for Spain since his switch, but this was his first World Cup meeting with France — and he clearly felt the weight of it.
Prediction markets shift
The semi-final outcome triggered a flurry of activity on crypto prediction platforms. Contracts tied to Spain winning the World Cup jumped in price, while France's odds collapsed. These markets, which let users bet on real-world events using stablecoins or tokens, have grown in popularity this year. The Spain-France match was one of the most heavily traded events on several platforms. With Spain now in the final, traders are recalibrating their positions ahead of the championship match.
Spain will face the winner of the other semi-final, set to be played Sunday. The final is scheduled for July 25. For Laporte, the focus will be on the trophy — but the memory of Friday's non-celebration will likely follow him until then. Prediction market volumes are expected to spike again as the final approaches.
