Spain defeated France 2-0 in the first semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas on July 14, scoring once in each half to book their place in the tournament final for only the second time in the nation's history, following their triumph in 2010.
The match marked the second World Cup meeting between the two sides. Their previous encounter came in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, when France claimed a 3-1 victory.
Speaking after the match, Kylian Mbappe said his side failed to perform at the level required, both tactically and technically.
"I think it was difficult for us because tactically we had a plan to go for them on the press, to go one-against-one, to not let them lead the tempo of the game, to not let them play in the way they want to play—because it’s a team who love to have the control of the game, the control of the ball. That’s what we let them do," he said.
"You take all the glory when you win, when you don't win but you have to take the blame. It's part of my game, my life, and as captain I have to take all the responsibility. We wanted to go to the final, we didn't and we have to take what people say to us," he added.
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