Kylian Mbappé questions France tactics after World Cup semifinal defeat to Spain

• Kylian Mbappé criticised France’s tactical approach after their 2-0 defeat to Spain ended hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
• The France captain said his side failed both technically and tactically against the reigning European champions.
• Didier Deschamps’ team will now face the loser of the Argentina and England semifinal in the third-place playoff.

Kylian Mbappé admitted France fell short both tactically and technically after their 2-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup semifinal, suggesting his side’s approach allowed the European champions to dictate the game from start to finish.

Spain secured their place in the World Cup final through a first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second-half goal from Pedro Porro, extending their winning run against France to three consecutive meetings.

Mbappé, who finished the match without scoring, said France never managed to disrupt Spain’s midfield control.

“We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that’s hard,” Mbappé said.

“Fabian Ruiz and Rodri had plenty of time to play.”

“There was a lack of communication on the press.”

“I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.”

The Real Madrid forward completed the tournament with eight goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

France had reached the previous two World Cup finals, winning the tournament in 2018 before finishing runners-up in 2022, but Mbappé acknowledged that Tuesday’s performance was below the standard required to compete for another title.

“We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically,” he said.

“When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don’t win.”

“Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does.”

“They like to control the ball and the tempo.”

“Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm.”

“Because they are better than us at controlling a game.”

“We didn’t manage to do it.”

“We were too sloppy technically.”

“We could not hurt them when we could have.”

Mbappé also pointed to France’s inability to retain possession after regaining the ball, saying poor execution repeatedly handed control back to Spain.

“Even when we recovered the ball, our first touches were not good enough,” he said.

“That gives a defeat.”

“It is a huge disappointment.”

“But if we are objective, we didn’t put all the ingredients to go to the final.”

Head coach Didier Deschamps attempted to change the momentum during the second half by introducing Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki after replacing Adrien Rabiot at half-time.

The substitutions failed to alter the contest, with Spain maintaining control until the final whistle.

Cherki admitted France were second best throughout the match.

“I don’t know what to say,” Cherki said.

“They were better than us in every part of the game and they were hungrier than us I think.”

“It is sad because I still believe that we are a better team than them, but this afternoon Spain has been better than us.”

“Even on an off day, we have to be a bit better technically, tactically and in the desire.”

“In so many ways, France was missing everything today.”

“Truly, everything was missing today.”

“We’ll be back in four years and we won’t make the same mistakes.”

Frustration boiled over late in the match when Mbappé collided with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón while attempting to pressure him as he collected the ball.

The France captain received a yellow card for the challenge before accepting responsibility for the team’s elimination.

“As the captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that,” Mbappé said.

“We wanted to go to the final.”

“We didn’t go.”

France will conclude their World Cup campaign in Saturday’s third-place playoff against the loser of the semifinal between Argentina and England.