For weeks, France appeared poised to reach their third consecutive World Cup final. However, their aspirations were thwarted by a tactically superior Spain during the semi-finals. Following Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty in the 22nd minute—the first time France trailed in this tournament—Didier Deschamps’ team struggled to respond. Kylian Mbappé could not produce a moment of magic, and the match followed a predictable trajectory toward Spain’s victory. So, where did it all unravel for France, and what lies ahead?
France’s Attack Struggles
The much-lauded French attack had dazzled fans worldwide over the last six weeks, netting 13 goals in their first four games. Yet, against Spain, the forwards failed to forge significant connections and their inability to finish chances was glaring.
France found themselves 2-0 down before even registering a shot on target. Notably, Mbappé, the second-highest scorer in World Cup history, did not manage a shot on goal. His influence diminished as he was often forced to drop deeper into midfield, with his first attempt at goal coming only midway through the second half.
Michael Olise, once compared to Michel Platini for his impressive playmaking in earlier rounds, lost possession 20 times and struggled to find his rhythm. Ousmane Dembélé failed to challenge goalkeeper Unai Simón until the dying moments of the game. Among the starting forwards, Bradley Barcola made the most significant contributions defensively, while Lucas Digne struggled to deal with Lamine Yamal’s threats.
As the knockout stages progressed, France’s attackers, who had previously exhibited fluidity and teamwork, became increasingly isolated. Spain effectively controlled the midfield, keeping the French forwards separated and limiting their interaction with the rest of the team.
Adrien Rabiot was the only French player to consistently break through the Spanish lines, but a yellow card in the 10th minute hampered his effectiveness. Deschamps’ decision to substitute him at half-time significantly weakened France’s midfield presence. Alongside the recently injured Aurélien Tchouaméni, who often found himself too deep to impact the game, Manu Koné was unable to replicate his stellar performance against Morocco.
Despite some tactical adjustments by Deschamps, they failed to shift the game’s momentum. Desiré Doué and Rayan Cherki were left stranded in narrow spaces, while Théo Hernandez struggled to match Digne’s performance against Spain’s attacking forays on the right flank.
Spain’s Midfield Dominance
It is unlikely that France underestimated their rivals; Deschamps consistently named Spain as the tournament favorites. Whether this was a genuine assessment or a tactic to alleviate pressure from his own squad, his views were supported by historical context.
With the loss to Spain, France has now suffered defeat in four consecutive matches against them, all in semifinals or finals. Spain’s midfield prowess has been a decisive factor in these encounters. For the second time in three years, France succumbed to the dominant trio of Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo.
The strength of Spain’s midfield extends beyond the senior team, with a clear style replicated across all age groups as part of a comprehensive strategy. In contrast, France’s various squads often seem constructed ad hoc, reacting to the available talent. Against Spain’s well-entrenched tactical structure, France’s players were consistently thwarted.
Looking Ahead: The Zidane Era
Deschamps will conclude his 14-year tenure after the third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday. Achieving podium finishes in three World Cups would solidify his status as France’s greatest coach, yet many will feel he could have achieved even more with the talent at his disposal.
His approach to granting forwards freedom during this tournament may signal a transition to the Zinedine Zidane era. Zidane’s coaching style was notably hands-off with his attacking players at Real Madrid, and the depth of talent available to France could allow for a similar philosophy.
Zidane’s appointment is anticipated to maintain continuity within the national team. Like Deschamps, he is a pragmatic coach and commands great respect from players—perhaps even more than Deschamps. There is reason for optimism; he will inherit a relatively young squad and goodwill from fans, players, and administrators alike.
The 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns were the result of Deschamps’ tactical evolution towards control and pragmatism, a formula that took time to refine. However, this strategy appeared to reach its limits by Euro 2024, making his adjustments somewhat ambitious. Though France advanced to the later rounds, they ultimately fell short against Spain.
This revamped French squad may unlock its full potential in four years under Zidane. If so, Deschamps’ legacy will not only include a World Cup title but also the groundwork for a promising new era.
This is an article by Get French Football News
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