France’s hopes of lifting the World Cup came to an abrupt end after a convincing 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain, with Didier Deschamps’ side falling well short in what was widely viewed as their first major test of the tournament. Unlike the dramatic 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, when France recovered from a poor start before eventually losing on penalties, there was no late revival this time. Spain controlled the contest from start to finish, leaving France chasing the game without ever finding a response.
Head coach Didier Deschamps admitted his team had simply been outplayed. “The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best. That is on us,” he said after the match. France entered the semifinal as one of the favorites to win the tournament, but Spain quickly exposed the gap between expectation and reality.
Spain dictated the tempo throughout, carrying out the game plan they had promised before kickoff. Teenager Lamine Yamal, who had boldly insisted before the match that France should fear Spain rather than the other way around, backed up those words with another composed display. France substitute Rayan Cherki acknowledged afterward that Spain’s ability to control the rhythm of the match proved decisive. “We knew their main strength was their ability to play at a false tempo. At times, we should have done the same. It was more difficult than we expected,” he said.
