In the weeks leading up to the semi-finals, France appeared poised to secure their third consecutive World Cup final appearance. However, they fell short against a tactically superior Spain team. Once Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute, marking the first time France trailed in the tournament, Didier Deschamps’ squad struggled to recover. Despite hopes for a late-game heroics from Kylian Mbappé, the match progressed predictably towards Spain’s victory. This raises the question: where did it all go wrong for France, and what lies ahead?
France’s Front Four Struggles
France’s celebrated attacking lineup had garnered admiration worldwide over the past six weeks, boasting 13 goals across their initial four matches. Yet, against Spain, their forwards failed to form effective connections, revealing a stark lack of precision.
Remarkably, France found themselves two goals down before registering a shot on target. Mbappé, who ranks as the second top scorer in men’s World Cup history, did not manage a single shot on goal. His contributions were hampered, as he often had to drop back into midfield, with his first attempt arriving only midway through the second half.
Michael Olise, who had drawn comparisons to Michel Platini for his earlier performances, lost possession 20 times and struggled to make an impact. Ousmane Dembélé did not pose a threat to goalkeeper Unai Simón until the dying minutes of the game. Among the starting forwards, only Bradley Barcola made a notable defensive contribution, while Lucas Digne struggled to contain Lamine Yamal.
As the knockout stages progressed, France’s once-fluid forward line became increasingly disconnected. Spain effectively controlled the midfield, preventing the forwards from engaging with each other and isolating them from the rest of the team.
Adrien Rabiot was the only player consistently breaking through the Spanish defenses, but his efforts were limited by an early yellow card. Deschamps’ choice to substitute him at halftime significantly weakened France’s chances of controlling the midfield. Alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, who often played too defensively to influence the match, Manu Koné was unable to replicate his earlier standout performance against Morocco.
Deschamps implemented some like-for-like substitutions, but they failed to change the course of the match. Desiré Doué and Rayan Cherki found themselves in isolated areas, while Théo Hernandez performed no better than Digne against Spain’s right-sided attacks.
Spain’s Midfield Mastery
It seems unlikely that France underestimated their opponents; Deschamps had consistently labeled Spain as the tournament favorites. Whether this was a genuine evaluation or a tactic to alleviate pressure on his team, it was supported by their recent record.
With the addition of the last Olympic final, France has now lost four consecutive encounters with Spain, all in crucial knockout stages. The superiority of Spain’s midfield has been a decisive factor in each of these defeats. For the second time in three years, France found themselves overwhelmed by the midfield trio of Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo.
This midfield dominance is not limited to senior matches; Spain’s well-defined style is evident across all age groups and teams, forming part of a comprehensive strategy. In contrast, France’s various squads often appear to be pieced together based on available talent rather than a cohesive plan. Against Spain’s established tactical framework, France’s individual talents struggled to make an impact.
Looking Ahead: The Zidane Era
Deschamps will conclude his 14-year tenure following Saturday’s third-place playoff in Miami. While finishing on the podium at three World Cups is an impressive achievement, some may argue that he could have accomplished even more given the talent at his disposal.
The freedom Deschamps granted his forwards during this tournament could hint at a transition towards the Zinedine Zidane era. Zidane’s coaching style at Real Madrid was notably non-interventionist concerning his attacking players, and France’s depth of talent might allow for a similar approach.
Regardless, Zidane’s potential appointment is expected to bring stability to the national team. Like Deschamps, he is a pragmatic coach on the sidelines but commands greater respect in the dressing room. This creates a sense of optimism moving forward. He will inherit a relatively youthful squad and likely enjoy goodwill from fans and players alike.
The World Cup campaigns of 2018 and 2022 reflected Deschamps’ tactical focus on control and pragmatism, a style that took time to refine into a winning formula. However, with Euro 2024 approaching, it was prudent to attempt a shift. Still, expecting immediate results from such a significant change may have been overly ambitious. Although France advanced to the later stages, they ultimately fell short against Spain.
This newly structured France team may fully realize its potential in four years under Zidane. If so, Deschamps’ legacy may well include not only a World Cup title but also the groundwork for a new era.
This is an article by Get French Football News
