France Stunned by Spain in World Cup Semi

Spain Advances with Two‑Goal Exploit

Mikel Oyarzabal struck in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro added a second on the hour, sealing a third consecutive semi‑final win for La Roja. The goals came despite a largely subdued French attack that had netted 16 times earlier in the tournament. Spain’s defense, which has allowed just one goal in the competition, held firm throughout the rest of the match.

France’s lead scorer, Kylian Mbappé, saw his lone clear chance deflected wide by Marc Cucurella in the 67th minute. A careless challenge from Michael Olie on Rodri and a brief lapse by Désiré Doué when Unai Simón was off his line gave Spain the momentum they needed. The French side never managed to find the rhythm that carried them into the last four.

Deschamps Grapples with the Setback

Didier Deschamps acknowledged his players fell short of their usual standard, citing technical errors in passing that disrupted attacking opportunities. “We weren’t as dangerous as we could have been,” he said, adding that Spain “defended extremely well and we never got into the game.” The coach confirmed the squad would regroup for the third‑place match on Saturday against the loser of the Argentina‑England semi. He noted that the players are “devastated” but will move forward.

Deschamps also revealed the team’s ambition to secure a perfect farewell for him in North America, a goal that fell short on Bastille Day. He reflected on his record, now 26 World Cup matches as manager, with one more scheduled before stepping down after 14 years. His tenure includes the 1998 triumph as captain and the 2018 title as coach, with a final‑penalty loss to Argentina in 2022.

Mbappé’s Disappointment and Outlook

Captaining France in what was also a bid to deliver a final honor for Deschamps, Mbappé told M6 that the performance “wasn’t the sort of match we wanted to play.” He described the shortfall as a mix of tactical, technical, and overall standard issues, emphasizing that missing the mark in a World Cup semi means no victory. “Like everyone else, I’m deeply disappointed,” he added, recalling the dream of reaching the final for his country.

Even as the hurt lingers, Mbappé hinted at a plan to recover, stating that “football waits for no one.” He suggested the group would take time away, learn from the defeat, and refocus. Looking ahead, Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 final hero and former Real Madrid boss, is reportedly set to take over the national team, aiming to revive trophy chances.

The defeat ends France’s pursuit of a third consecutive major trophy and leaves fans yearning for redemption, while Spain moves on confident in their ability to dominate at the highest level.