Didier Deschamps' storied reign as France manager will end in Saturday's third-place play-off, the farewell game no one wanted, after his side were outclassed 2-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals that ended France's hopes of reaching a third consecutive final, but it was the manner of the defeat that stung most. The pre-match overwhelming favourites managed just 10 shots – their lowest total in a World Cup – with an expected goals of 0.3. Patrick Vieira, the former France midfielder, told ITV: "They haven't shown up. I was expecting more. All our top players went missing. Collectively we were really bad."
“Deschamps' France career ends in World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain after Mbappe criticises tactics.”
Kylian Mbappe, who saw his only chance fly harmlessly over the bar from a free-kick, took aim at Deschamps' approach. "We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain that's hard," he said. "There was a lack of communication on the press. We should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us." The Real Madrid star added: "We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don't win. Spain respected their gameplan. They are better than us at controlling a game. We were too sloppy technically."
Despite the defeat, team-mate Rayan Cherki insisted France are still the better side. "They were better in every aspect of the game," he said. "I am convinced that we are the better team, but this afternoon they were superior."
The defeat ended Deschamps' dream of winning a third World Cup – he lifted the trophy as a player in 1998 and as manager in 2018. The 57-year-old, who confirmed in January 2025 he would step down after this tournament, set a record for most World Cup games managed with 26, surpassing Helmut Schon's 25.
"It's not time to talk about the future," Deschamps said in his post-match news conference. "I am extremely happy. I am very proud of everything we've done. I have been lucky as a player. Today is not such a moment. We must accept it without forgetting everything we experienced."
France will now face the loser of the other semi-final between England and Argentina in Miami on Saturday at 22:00 BST – a consolation match that feels hollow for a side expected to challenge for the title.