France captain Kylian Mbappe has suggested that Spain were superior to Les Bleus tactically and technically after their 2-0 defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
The loss ended France’s ambition of reaching a third successive World Cup final, as Spain produced a dominant display to secure their place in Sunday’s title decider.
Speaking after the match, Mbappe pointed to France’s unsuccessful pressing strategy against Spain’s midfield, which was controlled by Rodri and Fabián Ruiz.
“We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that’s hard,” Mbappe said. “Fabian 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 admitted France failed to execute their game plan, allowing Spain to control possession and dictate the pace of the encounter.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically,” Mbappe 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.”
Spain took charge of the contest after Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the first half, before Pedro Porro added a second goal to put France under pressure.
Mbappe, who ended the tournament with eight goals and matched Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot standings, also criticised France’s inability to keep possession.
“Even when we recovered the ball, our first touches were not good enough. 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.”
France head coach Didier Deschamps attempted to change the momentum by introducing substitutes, including Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki, but Spain comfortably held on for victory.
Cherki also acknowledged Spain’s superiority, admitting France struggled in every area of the match.
“I don’t know what to say. They were better than us in every part of the game, and they were hungrier than us I think,” Cherki said.
“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 in an off day, we have to be a bit better technically, tactically, 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.”
Mbappe’s frustration was also visible late in the match when he collided with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón while attempting to press him, resulting in a yellow card in the 86th minute.
Despite the disappointment, the France captain accepted responsibility for the team’s failure to reach the final.
“As the captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that,” Mbappe said. “We wanted to go to the final. We didn’t go.”
France will now play the loser of the second semi-final between Argentina and England in Saturday’s third-place playoff, while Spain will compete in the World Cup final.