Millions of people watched the match. No one saw the crucifix.
While Iván Barton officiated the 2026 World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, a small silver accessory hung from his whistle without the cameras or fans noticing it. Only afterward, while reviewing photographs of the match, did social media users identify it: a crucifix attached to the lanyard, present throughout the 90 minutes of the match.
The Salvadoran awarded a penalty in favor of Spain in the first half, in the match that ended 2-0 and sent La Roja to the final. It was his fourth appointment at this World Cup, after officiating Turkey-Paraguay, Japan-Sweden and Switzerland-Colombia. The detail, small but real, ended up carrying more weight than any refereeing decision in the conversations after the match.
