Graciela Maria Vidal Gálvez was dancing before Spain had even reached the World Cup final.
At every half-chance, she rose inside the Club Espagnol de Québec down St-Laurent Blvd., swaying while also waving her red abanico — a traditional Spanish fan — through the humid air.
Hundreds packed the club’s downstairs hall, upper floor and outdoor terrace Tuesday to watch Spain face France on the large screens. Madri beer pints — and jugs — stacked up, Spanish flags were raised and most openings for Spain brought people out of their seats.
Spanish football fan Alexandre Ghislain-Fernandez jumps in the air to celebrate a Spain goal with Jaime Lacasa Peribañez, left, Julien Ghislain and Isabel Fernandez, on the terrasse at Club Espagnol in Montreal while Spain defeated France in World Cup semifinal game Tuesday July 14, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
“This is the way that we do it,” said Vidal Gálvez, who moved to Montreal from Madrid when she was 15 years old. “When it’s something, it’s always like this.”
The club draws dozens of regulars each week, but the semifinal brought supporters from across Montreal’s wider Spanish community.
After Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad captain, put Spain ahead, it was then Pedro Porro, the Tottenham Hotspur right-back, who doubled the lead in the 58th minute.
“España” rang out as the place erupted once again.
France had entered the matchup as the favourite — with much of the attention focused on stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. The game also fell on Bastille Day, France’s national holiday.
But Spain ultimately shut down the French attack and advanced to its first men’s World Cup final since winning the tournament in 2010.
Spanish football fans Maximo Morales, left, and Carole-Ann Lalonde celebrate at Club Espagnol in Montreal after Spain defeated France in World Cup semifinal game Tuesday July 14, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
Across the room, Máximo Morales watched with friends, wearing a Montreal Expos cap.
Morales, who is Spanish-Cuban and has frequented the club for years, said he had not seen it this lively since that victory 16 years ago.
“It’s amazing,” he said of Spain reaching the final. “Everybody who didn’t believe in Spain said, ‘Oh, because Mbappé. Oh, because Dembélé.’ Spain showed them that if we play our game and we can block them, there’s no life. We suck the life out of them.”
Olés began rolling around the room just minutes before the final whistle. Then when it came, jumps, hugs and more chanting followed.
For Vidal Gálvez, the next step was inevitable. Club Español holds flamenco nights twice a month, she explained.
“When you make a fiesta, you always finish with a dance.”
But the moment also reflected her attachment to the country she left as a teenager.
“I’m very happy here, that’s for sure, but Spain is Spain.”
Spanish football fans Julien Ghislain, left, Alexandre Ghislain-Fernandez, and Isabel Fernandez celebrate on the sidewalk outside Club Espagnol in Montreal after Spain defeated France in World Cup semifinal game Tuesday July 14, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
Morales, meanwhile, said he was supporting Argentina in Wednesday’s semifinal against England, hoping for an all-Hispanic final.
Vidal Gálvez, however, said of Argentina, “Sometimes they play a little bit dirty.”
“But England?” she said with a smile. “I love England.”
Spain will face the winner on Sunday in New Jersey.
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Spanish football fans wave to passing cars honking their horns while celebrating outside Club Espagnol in Montreal after Spain defeated France in World Cup semifinal game Tuesday July 14, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette