France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final came crashing down after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals in Dallas.
Entering the tournament as one of the strongest favorites, Didier Deschamps’ side had impressed throughout the competition with exciting attacking football, but they failed to produce their best performance when it mattered most.
Spain controlled large portions of the contest and kept France’s dangerous frontline unusually quiet, bringing an end to Les Bleus’ campaign with a composed and disciplined display.
Early Mistakes Prove Costly for Les Bleus
The breakthrough came after Lucas Digne conceded a penalty in unfortunate fashion.
Attempting to clear the ball, the Aston Villa defender caught Lamine Yamal without realizing the Spanish winger was closing him down.
Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot to give Spain the lead.
France struggled to recover, and Pedro Porro later added a second goal to seal Spain’s place in the World Cup final while exposing France’s inability to respond offensively.
L’Equipe Hands Out Brutal Ratings
French sports newspaper L’Equipe did not hide its disappointment when assessing the performances of the national team.
Not a single French player managed to earn more than 5 out of 10, highlighting how underwhelming the overall display was.
The publication was especially critical of several of France’s biggest names, suggesting that the team failed collectively despite arriving at the semi-finals with enormous confidence.
Lucas Digne Receives One of the Lowest Scores
Digne was among the players who received the harshest criticism, earning just 2 out of 10.
According to the newspaper, his careless foul on Yamal directly gifted Spain the opening goal through the penalty.
Although the defender briefly improved before halftime, his second-half display was marked by repeated turnovers before he was eventually replaced by Theo Hernandez.
His costly mistake became one of the defining moments of France’s elimination.
Dembele and Olise Also Struggle to Impress
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele also received a disappointing 2/10 rating after a frustrating evening.
The newspaper argued that Dembele never found his rhythm, regardless of whether he played on the right flank or through the middle.
His influence steadily disappeared as the match progressed, with the outlet describing his performance as a major disappointment.
Michael Olise was judged equally harshly. After producing several standout displays earlier in the tournament, the winger failed to trouble Spain’s defense.
Poor passing, unsuccessful dribbles and a lack of creativity prevented him from making any meaningful impact.
Mbappe Unable to Inspire France
Captain Kylian Mbappe endured another frustrating night and was awarded just 3 out of 10.
Despite leading France’s attack, Mbappe often appeared isolated against Spain’s organized defense.
L’Equipe felt the forward attempted to shoulder too much responsibility on his own but was unable to break through as Spain limited his opportunities throughout the match.
France, who had scored 16 goals before the semi-finals, were completely shut down by Spain’s defensive structure.
Only Three French Players Escape Heavy Criticism
Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot were the highest-rated French players, each receiving 5 out of 10.
Rabiot, in particular, earned praise for his work rate and determination without the ball.
However, his evening was cut short after receiving a first-half booking, leading to his substitution at halftime to avoid the risk of a red card.
Even these relatively positive ratings reflected a performance that fell well below France’s expected standards.
Deschamps Criticized as His Era Nears Its End
Head coach Didier Deschamps was also heavily criticized, receiving a 3/10 rating following the defeat.
The newspaper questioned how a team that entered the match full of confidence could deliver such an ineffective tactical performance.
It also suggested that replacing Desire Doue with Bradley Barcola failed to improve France’s attack and argued that the coaching staff relied too heavily on established players rather than making bolder tactical decisions.
The loss also marks the final competitive chapter of Deschamps’ long tenure as France manager, with his reign set to conclude after the third-place playoff.
During his time in charge, he guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final appearance in 2022.
Spain Earns Widespread Praise for Complete Performance
While France faced severe criticism, Spain received glowing reviews for its composed display.
Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo both earned 8 out of 10, with Olmo being named the standout performer of the match.
Their influence helped Spain dictate the tempo and keep France’s dangerous attack under control from start to finish.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente also received an impressive 8/10 rating after overseeing a tactical masterclass.
L’Equipe praised his team’s complete command of the contest, noting that Spain looked comfortable throughout the match and rarely appeared under any real pressure as they booked their place in the World Cup final.
