France's high-flying World Cup campaign crashed to a halt on Tuesday as Spain delivered a tactical masterclass, defeating Les Bleus 2-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The French side, widely praised as the tournament's most exciting attacking force, struggled to break through a disciplined Spanish defense. Despite boasting stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, France managed only one shot on target in the entire match, and that came after the 75th minute.
"We faced a team that controlled every aspect of the game," said France coach Didier Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament. "Our midfield was cut off, and we couldn't find our rhythm."
Spain's midfield trio of Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Fabian Ruiz dominated possession, systematically neutralizing France's attack. The goals came from clinical finishes that showcased Spain's patient build-up play.
The loss ended Mbappe's hopes of playing in his third World Cup final—a feat achieved only by Brazil's Cafu. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward will now lead France in the third-place playoff against an opponent yet to be determined.
"This hurts, but this team has a bright future," Mbappe said. "We'll learn from this and come back stronger."
Spain, meanwhile, advances to the final, where they will vie for their second World Cup title. Fans erupted in celebration across Madrid, packing plazas and fan zones to cheer their team's commanding performance.