Shell-shocked France silent after Spain defeat as focus shifts to Miami play-off | OneFootball

France were left stunned and silent after a 0-2 World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain in Arlington, their third in three years. The dressing room stayed quiet as players tried to process a night that made little sense.

According to L'Équipe, the captain was in tears and angry, unconvinced as to why second-half instructions were not followed. Deschamps had urged more one-v-one defending at half-time and later said the elite level is ruthless, there were too many shortcomings, but not everything should be thrown away.

A third-place play-off awaits in Miami on Saturday at 23:00 French time. There is even a chance for the captain to overtake Lionel Messi in the scorers’ chart, yet he considered his World Cup over, seemingly his team-mates too.

The self-styled bad guys tag had vanished as Spain again punished them. Désiré Doué was the last to leave, held for anti-doping control before slipping away under escort.

Only Rayan Cherki and Maxence Lacroix faced the mixed zone, the Crystal Palace centre-back admitting things worked less well than usual and insisting they had given everything.

Most of the squad headed for Dallas airport and a flight to Boston, and a warm hotel welcome changed little. By Wednesday morning the hangover lingered, some rewatched the game, others began planning holidays.

Staff called it a non-match and now must refocus on the obligatory play-off against England, whose identity they would only learn upon reaching Bentley University for 17:00 training. Deschamps kept stressing that closure comes on Saturday.

Source: L'Équipe