Following France's 2-0 loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup semifinal, captain Kylian Mbappe acknowledged that his team struggled to implement their game strategy. He noted that Les Bleus allowed Spain to control the pace of the match.

In an interview with a media outlet, Mbappe explained that the team's plan was to apply pressure on Spain and disrupt their midfield control. However, he admitted they did not achieve this goal. "It was challenging for us. We aimed to press them and prevent them from dictating the game, but we failed to do so," he stated.

He further elaborated that Spain's midfield was granted too much space, enabling them to dominate possession. "We allowed them too much time to play, and they capitalized on it. When you don't adjust to Spain's strategy, it becomes difficult. The penalty they received also shifted the momentum in their favor, leading to their second goal, and we lacked the quality to reach the final," he added.

Mbappe took accountability for the defeat, recognizing that as captain, he must accept both praise and criticism. "When you win, you receive all the accolades, but when you lose, the blame falls on you. This is part of my role, and I must shoulder the responsibility. We aimed for the final, but we fell short, and we must accept the feedback from others," he remarked.

The upcoming third-place playoff will mark Didier Deschamps' last match as the manager of France. When asked about the significance of this game, Mbappe expressed, "Nothing changes regarding what Didier means to us as a team and as a nation. We have one final game to play, and we must perform at our best for him, as he deserves it, and so do the fans, to secure third place in this World Cup."

Spain triumphed over France with a score of 2-0 at Dallas Stadium, thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, advancing them to the FIFA World Cup final. France will now compete in the third-place playoff, while Spain prepares to face either Argentina or England for the championship.