PLAYER RATINGS | France 0-2 Spain: Les Bleus crash out of World Cup in Dallas

PLAYER RATINGS | France 0-2 Spain: Les Bleus crash out of World Cup in Dallas France were knocked out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage, as a dominant Spain prevented Les Bleus’ attack from making any kind of impact. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Perro scored the goals for La Roja. The match On the eve of Les Bleus’ third consecutive World Cup semi-final, Didier Deschamps was sticking to the same line he had given the media since the start of the tournament: Spain are the tournament favourites. His players, meanwhile, were unfazed by Lamine Yamal’s pre-match comments insisting that France should “fear” the European champions. The recent head-to-head record did tilt in La Roja’s favour, not least after the Euro 2024 final as well as last year’s Nations League nine-goal thriller. A formidable attacking quartet, though, had rapidly established France as the frontrunners at this year’s World Cup. Les Bleus started brightly, with Bradley Barcola notably vindicating Didier Deschamps’ choice to start him over Désiré Doué by finding space several times down the left wing. Adrien Rabiot’s stamp on Dani Olmo would offer Spain a set-piece on the edge of thee box, but the ensuing free-kick was blocked by the wall. Les Bleus would eventually pay for a nervy start, though, as Lucas Digne inadvertently kicked Lamine Yamal in the midst of a haphazard clearance and concede a penalty. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the spot-kick, putting France behind for the first time at this year’s edition. The situation went from bad to worse for Didier Deschamps’ men near the half-hour mark, as William Saliba’s back issues caught up with him. The Arsenal defender was promptly replaced by Maxence Lacroix. France’s first shot on goal would come from Barcola a few minutes later, but otherwise Les Bleus were thwarted by an overwhelming opposition midfield and recurring offside calls. The best chance before the break would fall to Fabián Ruiz, who was only stopped from turning in a Yamal cross by a last-ditch block by Upamecano. The second half started in the same vein, as the French forward struggled to link up and the midfield still struggling despite Manu Koné’s introduction. La Roja eventually doubled the lead from a straightforward one-two between Dani Olmo and Pedro Porro. Lamine Yamal had the ball in the net a third time shortly afterwards, but was denied straight away by an offside call.  Spain never looked like losing their grip on the match from then on. The introductions of Rayan Cherki and Doué did add some much-needed creative spark for Les Bleus, but by then the opposition defence had closed up shop. For all of the tactical changes which took place since the last World Cup cycle, it was ultimately a familiar performance from Les Bleus. As was the case in the 2022 final, misplaced passes, an uncharacteristic lack of intensity, and nerves meant that France were simply not up to the occasion. France player ratings Mike Maignan, 5 Jules Koundé, 3 Dayot Upamecano, 5 William Saliba, n/a  – The back pain which France’s medical staff had been managing throughout the tournament finally surfaced during a match. Maxence Lacroix replaced him just before the half-hour mark. Lucas Digne, 2 Aurélien Tchouaméni, 3 Adrien Rabiot, 5 – Even with the free-kick he conceded at the very start of the match, the Milan midfielder was the standout French player in the first half, breaking Spanish lines several times. Having picked up a yellow card, he was replaced by Manu Koné at half-time. Ousmane Dembélé, 3 Michael Olise, 2  – An incredibly nervy start from Bayern Munich man, who repeatedly misplaced passes  and was lucky to escape at least a booking for a high foot on Rodri. The second half brought little improvement. Bradley Barcola, 4  – Replaced by Désiré Doué just before the hour mark. Kylian Mbappé, 4 GFFN |  Raphaël Jucobin –  reporting from Dallas Stadium, Arlington