{"id":2959,"date":"2026-07-15T09:08:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T09:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/?p=2959"},"modified":"2026-07-16T18:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T18:37:19","slug":"spain-dominates-france-to-reach-world-cup-final-as-deschamps-era-ends-in-dallas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/2026\/07\/15\/spain-dominates-france-to-reach-world-cup-final-as-deschamps-era-ends-in-dallas\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain Dominates France to Reach World Cup Final as Deschamps Era Ends in Dallas"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2014 Spain eased into the World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France, bringing a disappointing end to the long and illustrious tenure of French manager Didier Deschamps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The semi-final clash in Dallas was controlled from start to finish by a disciplined Spanish side. Spain opened the scoring through a Mikel Oyarzabal<\/a> penalty before securing their passage to the final with a second-half strike from Pedro Porro<\/a>. Spain now awaits the winner of the other semi-final between England and Argentina.<\/p>\n

For France, the defeat was a sobering conclusion to a tournament where they failed to consistently replicate the elite performance levels of previous campaigns. Under Deschamps, who famously guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022, France has been a dominant force in international football. However, this semi-final exit marked a quiet and frustrating end to his historic reign.<\/p>\n

### Self-Inflicted Wounds<\/p>\n

French midfielder Rayan Cherki, who entered the match as a second-half substitute for the ineffective Michael Olise<\/a>, expressed deep frustration with his team’s performance. Despite the defeat, the Manchester City man maintained that France possesses the stronger squad, suggesting they ultimately defeated themselves.<\/p>\n

“They were better than us in all aspects of the game and I think they wanted it more,” Cherki said. “It\u2019s a shame, because I\u2019m convinced that we\u2019re still a better team than them, but today Spain was superior. Even on a bad day, we have to improve a little: tactically, technically, in everything.”<\/p>\n

Cherki lamented the missed opportunity, noting that France had the quality to go all the way. “It\u2019s incredibly disappointing. We had everything we needed to get to the end. To be honest, all the teams feared us. And the only team that beat us was ourselves. We beat ourselves. We didn\u2019t play like we know how to play. The Spaniards played as they like, and we didn\u2019t. We\u2019re paying the consequences.”<\/p>\n

When asked why France produced their weakest performance of the tournament on such a grand stage, Cherki reflected on the squad’s mindset. “Maybe when everything is too easy, we think we are above everything. But I don\u2019t think that was the case. It\u2019s a World Cup semi-final\u2026 We lacked a lot in many ways.”<\/p>\n

While some within the French camp, including Deschamps, expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating of referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador, Cherki refused to use it as an excuse. <\/p>\n

“You can say what you want but they were simply more aggressive and smarter than us,” Cherki added. “The referee was not up to par, but that doesn\u2019t change anything. You can\u2019t blame the referee: he didn\u2019t deprive us of a goal.”<\/p>\n

### Mbappe’s Frustration<\/p>\n

\"France'sKylian Mbappe<\/a> celebrates a goal at the World Cup.” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” src=”https:\/\/www.101greatgoals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3F0T53N-1-1024×536.jpg” \/>\"France&apos;s<\/p>\n

France captain Kylian Mbappe also struggled to influence the match. The Real Madrid star was largely contained by the Spanish defense and received a late yellow card following a needless challenge on Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.<\/p>\n

The defeat marked the first time in Mbappe’s career that he failed to reach the World Cup final, having previously done so in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. <\/p>\n

“We didn\u2019t play the game we wanted to play, tactically or technically,” Mbappe admitted. “And when you don\u2019t do what you\u2019re supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don\u2019t win.”<\/p>\n

Mbappe credited Spain’s tactical discipline and ability to dictate the game. “Spain respected its plan and what they are faithful to. They are a team that likes to control the ball and the tempo. Our goal was to come and press them high so as not to let them find their rhythm. Because in game control, they are better than us. We didn\u2019t manage to do that, and there were too many technical errors.”<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Mbappe emphasized the need for the squad to reset. “Like everyone else, I have a lot of disappointment. It was a dream for us to go to the final, to give this opportunity to our country to continue dreaming and making history. Now, it\u2019s something you have to face with your head held high. <\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t think I can put into words how disappointed the group and I are. But like any high-level player, even if it seems a little robotic, you have to keep your head up, go on holiday and then start again. Because football is not waiting for anyone, we will have to learn and start again to put this failure to one side.”<\/p>\n

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