It was billed as the biggest game of the 2026 World Cup so far, but it could be argued that only one team turned up. Indeed, Spain were at their best at Dallas Stadium, but France really didn't turn up.
The French were just about considered the favourites going into the match, having looked the strongest team at the tournament. But Spain were always going to be tough opponents, conceding just one goal this summer to date.
They maintained that impressive run as they dominated the game, stifling France's many talented attackers, while also springing forward themselves to score twice and win the game 2-0. After Lamine Yamal was fouled , Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the first half from the penalty spot, before Perdo Porro finished a fine move in the 58th minute to kill off the game.
France captain Kylian Mbappe had been in blistering form ahead of the game, scoring a tournament-high eight goals, but he was very quiet on the day. He has now spoken about what went wrong tactically for his nation.
Mbappe Appears Unhappy With Deschamps' Tactics
Speaking to the press after the game , Mbappe made it very clear that his team did not do enough to win the match and make it into what would have been a third consecutive World Cup final. He began:
“I think we didn’t play our game, neither technically nor tactically. When you don’t do what you’re supposed to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don’t win. Spain stayed true to their game plan.”
Mbappe then continued in a way which could be construed as the forward questioning the tactics of his manager Didier Deschamps. Speaking emotionally, he added:
"Right from the start, we were pressing three against two. We messed up there. Against Spain, we need to press one for one. And even when we recovered the ball. Our ball touches, and our movements were not worthy of a World Cup semifinal. We did not have what it takes to go to the World Cup final, to be honest.”
The Swede watched La Roja blow Les Bleus away.
Deschamps Discusses France's World Cup Exit
It's not hard to see why Mbappe was so frustrated with his team's tactics as they put up such a limp fight on the day. The Frenchman was starved of service, but also failed to get himself into the game.
As per Squawka, he finished the match with zero shots on target , zero chances created, just one take-on completed, one foul won, and only 12 passes completed from 34 touches. Before this defeat, the only other match Mbappe had lost across three World Cups was the 2022 final against Argentina – in which he scored a hat-trick and only lost on penalties.
Speaking after the game, manager Deschamps was also unhappy with his team's performance , although he pointed to issues on the ball, as opposed to any of his own tactical shortcomings. He said:
"We were a bit below par and less dangerous offensively than we could have been. We made a few technical errors and missed passes that could have led to situations and chances. We have to accept it; this is the highest level, even if it hurts. It was the last step before this potential final... So we'll play the third-place match. We'll play it; it doesn't take anything away from what we've achieved. But in this match, Spain showed something extra."
Deschamps will leave France after the third-place play-off match, with this tournament known to be his final attempt to win another major honour with the national team.
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