Following their unexpected exit from the World Cup semi-finals, several French national team players and their coach have faced severe criticism and low ratings from the French sports newspaper L’Equipe. The team’s campaign concluded with a 2-0 loss to Spain, a result that dashed their hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final. Despite entering the tournament as favorites and showcasing impressive attacking prowess throughout, France was ultimately outplayed by Spain.

L’Equipe’s Scathing Assessment of French Performance

L’Equipe, known for its rigorous player ratings, delivered a harsh verdict on France’s display against Spain. The newspaper highlighted specific errors and a general lack of impact from key players, contributing to the team’s downfall. The defeat marked the end of a strong tournament run for France, but their performance in the crucial semi-final match was widely seen as a significant disappointment.

Player Ratings and Key Criticisms

Several prominent French players received particularly low scores, reflecting their perceived shortcomings in the match:

• Lucas Digne: The Aston Villa left-back was given a rating of 2/10. L’Equipe specifically pointed to his clumsy challenge on Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area, which resulted in Spain’s opening goal via a penalty. The newspaper noted his unawareness of the approaching Spanish player as a critical error. His performance was further described as a mix of repeated ball losses in the second half, leading to his substitution.
• Ousmane Dembele: Another player to receive a 2/10 rating, Dembele was heavily criticized for his overall contribution. L’Equipe stated that he “did almost everything wrong,” citing uncontrolled moments and a foul on Lamine Yamal that also contributed to the penalty incident. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner was noted for fading significantly as the game progressed, becoming almost invisible and representing a “huge disappointment.”
• Michael Olise: Also awarded a 2/10, Olise’s performance was a stark contrast to his previous impactful displays in the tournament. L’Equipe observed that he “fell very low this time” and lacked precision in his passing and dribbling, failing to pose a significant threat to the Spanish defense.
• Kylian Mbappe: France’s captain and star forward, Kylian Mbappe, received a 3/10 rating. The newspaper commented that he “often seemed very isolated” and attempted to carry the team single-handedly without success.

Coach Didier Deschamps Also Rated Poorly

Manager Didier Deschamps also faced scrutiny, receiving a 3/10 rating for his tactical decisions and team management. L’Equipe questioned the team’s approach and lack of preparedness, despite their confident journey to the semi-finals. The newspaper specifically mentioned that substitutions, such as replacing Desire Doue with Bradley Barcola, did not yield the desired results, and suggested the coaching was too hesitant to deviate from established norms.

The report highlighted that no French player managed to score above a 5/10. Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, and Adrien Rabiot were among those who received this mark. Rabiot, in particular, was acknowledged for showing “personality and a huge impact off the ball,” despite having to be substituted at halftime due to a first-half booking.

Spanish Players Praised by L’Equipe

In contrast to the French team’s reception, L’Equipe offered praise for several Spanish players and their coach, Luis de la Fuente. Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo were singled out for their outstanding performances, both earning 8/10 ratings. Dani Olmo was also named the player of the match.

Coach Luis de la Fuente also received an 8/10, with L’Equipe noting Spain’s “complete control of the match” and their apparent lack of vulnerability throughout the game. This positive assessment underscored Spain’s tactical discipline and effective execution, which ultimately proved too much for the favored French side.

Conclusion: A Disappointing End to France’s World Cup Journey

The French national team’s World Cup journey concluded on a somber note, marked by a semi-final defeat to Spain and subsequent harsh critiques from L’Equipe. The low player ratings for key figures like Lucas Digne, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappe, along with criticism directed at coach Didier Deschamps, paint a picture of a team that underperformed at a critical juncture. While Spain celebrated a well-deserved victory, France was left to reflect on a campaign that, despite early promise, ended in significant disappointment, with L’Equipe’s detailed analysis highlighting the specific areas where the team fell short.