France's thrilling World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end as Spain produced a commanding 2-0 victory to book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Widely regarded as the tournament's most exciting attacking side, Didier Deschamps' men entered the semifinal after scoring 16 goals in six matches, with stars Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue lighting up the competition.
However, Spain's midfield dominance at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, completely nullified France's attacking threat. Les Bleus failed to register a shot on target until more than 75 minutes had elapsed, by which time Spain were comfortably in control.
Rodri, Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz controlled the midfield throughout, cutting off the supply to France's dangerous front line and leaving Mbappe and company with few opportunities to influence the game.
"We kept finding ourselves outnumbered 3-on-2 in midfield," Mbappe said after the defeat.
"And against Spain, that's a real problem. When you put it all together, the result is a defeat. It's a huge disappointment."
The Real Madrid forward admitted France never reached the level required to compete in a World Cup semifinal.
"I don't think we played the match we wanted to play—whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level," he added.
"And when you don't do what you're supposed to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win."
The defeat marks a bitter conclusion to Didier Deschamps' tenure with France.
Having guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and within a penalty shootout of another title in 2022, the veteran coach had hoped to bow out by leading France to another final.
Instead, Spain exposed tactical weaknesses that France struggled to overcome.
"It is not really important on a personal level whether I leave this competition in the semifinal or final," Deschamps said.
"It's not time to talk about the future. I am extremely happy and very proud of everything we've done with the national team."
"I have been lucky as a player to enjoy a big moment. Today is not such a moment, but we must accept it without forgetting everything we've experienced so far."
Victory over Spain would have seen Mbappe become only the second player after Brazil legend Cafu (1994, 1998 and 2002) to appear in three FIFA World Cup finals.
Instead, France will now travel to Miami's Hard Rock Stadium to contest Saturday's third-place playoff.
Despite the disappointment, Mbappe believes France's talented squad can quickly recover and challenge again at the 2028 European Championship.
"It was a dream for us to reach the final, to give our country the chance to keep dreaming and to make history," he said.
"Now, it is something we have to face with our heads held high. When you win, you win with your head held high; when you lose, you have to lose with your head held high too."
"Right now, there is immense disappointment. It is hard to put into words how disappointed the squad and I are."
"Football waits for no one. We have to start over, put this failure behind us, and learn from it."
