It's over for France, their World Cup hopes shattered in a brutal 2-0 drubbing by Spain in Jerry Jones' cavernous lair. They entered this tournament as absolute favorites, holding onto that mantle until Tuesday, but once Spain hit the net first, it was game over, and they never, ever recovered. This wasn't some nail-biter; this was a round defeat, a "hideous performance" that had everyone wondering what happened to the team hailed as the most talented side, top-to-bottom, in the entire World Cup.
Deschamps Out, Zidane In, and the Blame Game Kicks Off
Didier Deschamps' incredible 14-year, 184-game run as France's coach is officially finished. The guy came so close to making history, almost grabbing a second World Cup as a coach after winning one as a player, not to mention his three major finals and a UEFA Nations League title. But after Tuesday's abomination, especially from his "vaunted front four" who cobbled together a pathetic 0.04 xG in the first 64 minutes, most France fans are probably already celebrating the incoming Zinedine Zidane era. It truly was a "whimpering, milquetoast performance," a total no-show where they were "outplayed in every aspect of the game." Kylian Mbappé, who reportedly got a dismal 4/10 rating in the semifinal, was even critical of the tactics, and you gotta wonder if he wasn't alone.Spain's Dominance and France's Refusal to Adapt
This wasn't some fluke for Spain, either. Their coach, Luis de la Fuente, has now bested Deschamps three times in three years. First, the 2024 Euro semifinal. Then, the 2025 Nations League where Spain was up 5-1 at one point and finished 5-4. And now, the biggest stage of all. Is de la Fuente Deschamps' bespectacled, bald, bearded kryptonite? Or did Deschamps simply refuse to learn? Spain played their possession game, moving the ball around, creating chances. The big question was always going to be if France would adapt, maybe press harder or add a midfielder like Mbappé suggested, since it was "two vs. three in midfield." Deschamps chose to just play their own game and let Spain worry about them. And he paid a dear price for that decision. With talent like France had, you'd expect the opposition to adapt to you, not the other way around. It's a bitter pill to swallow for France, but as Leboeuf put it plainly, this semifinal loss to Spain is simply "a failure." With Zidane on the horizon, the pressure will be immense to not just win, but to bring back the flair and adaptability that was so painfully missing.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.