France Stunned by Spain in World Cup Semi-Final Upset

France’s highly anticipated World Cup campaign came to a jarring halt as they were convincingly defeated 2-0 by Spain in the semi-finals. The pre-tournament favorites, who boasted the top ranking and a formidable attacking line-up, were outmaneuvered and outplayed, leaving players and fans in disbelief.

Tactical Woes

Rayan Cherki’s assessment of the defeat was stark: “We lost against ourselves. We didn’t lose against the referee, we didn’t lose against Spain, we lost against ourselves.” He elaborated that the team lacked “everything,” being beaten “technically, tactically, and in the duels.” This mirrors previous encounters where Spain’s controlled style proved too much for France, including a European Championship semi-final loss two years prior and a Nations League semi-final defeat last summer.

Didier Deschamps’ tactical approach, which relied on four out-and-out attackers, was questioned by Kylian Mbappe. “Right from the start, we were pressing three against two… and we messed up there,” Mbappe stated, suggesting a need for a man-for-man press against Spain. The attacking unit appeared impotent, registering a mere 0.3 expected goals (xG), France’s lowest World Cup tally since Opta records began in 1966. Their first shot on target didn’t come until the 82nd minute, a speculative lob from substitute Desire Doue.

Player Performances

The French attack, expected to be their greatest strength, failed to deliver. Ousmane Dembele, despite a bright early pass to Mbappe, was largely peripheral. Bradley Barcola was ineffective and substituted, while Michael Olise, who had been a creative spark throughout the tournament, was nullified by Spain and also replaced.

Midfield and defense also faced difficulties. Adrien Rabiot, booked early and playing loosely in possession, was withdrawn at halftime after a challenge that could have resulted in a second yellow card. William Saliba, reportedly playing through pain, was forced off after just half an hour. Lucas Digne’s foul on Lamine Yamal, which led to Spain’s penalty, was a point of contention, with questions raised about his continued presence on the field against the dynamic Spanish winger.

Spain’s Dominance

Spain, on the other hand, showcased their patient, precise, and penetrative style of football. They controlled the game, with France appearing disorganized and unable to respond effectively. The “Oles” chanted by the Spanish supporters underscored France’s humiliation as their opponents toyed with them in the closing stages.

Patrick Vieira, a former World Cup winner, expressed his disappointment with France’s collective failure. “The French team didn’t turn up at all,” he observed. “We needed our top players to perform today and they didn’t do it. It wasn’t one or two, it was all of them collectively. It was really bad.”

Adversity and Expectations

Cherki also suggested that France might have struggled with adversity, having perhaps found the tournament too easy until the semi-final. “Maybe when it’s too easy, we think we’re above the rabble,” he mused. The early penalty goal for Spain undoubtedly added to the pressure.

Despite the crushing defeat, France’s talented squad is expected to remain largely intact for future tournaments. However, the imminent departure of manager Didier Deschamps after 12 years, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly set to take over, adds another layer of transition to the team’s future.

Key facts

This result is significant for football fans as it marks a dramatic end to the World Cup dream for a team widely tipped to win. It highlights the effectiveness of Spain’s footballing philosophy and raises questions about France’s tactical approach and individual player performances on the biggest stage.

Source: The Athletic Football – France were supposed to win the World Cup. What went so wrong against Spain? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7446303/2026/07/14/france-out-of-world-cup-how/