World Cup 2026 semifinal aftermath

On July 14, Spain defeated France 2‑0 in Arlington, Texas, with Mikel Oyarzabal’s 22‑minute penalty and Pedro Porro’s 58‑minute strike sending La Roja to their first World Cup final since 2010. French captain Kylian Mbappé said France “were not at the level of a World Cup semi‑final” and admitted “too many errors,” while coach Didier Deschamps’ side failed to impose a plan against a “faithful” Spanish side.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players as “the best team in the world,” warned against complacency and stressed that the ultimate goal remained the trophy, looking ahead to a final against the winner of the Argentina‑England match.

The following day Mbappé took full responsibility for the loss, criticizing France’s tactical approach. He said the team did not press effectively, often found themselves “three against two in midfield,” gave excessive space to Fabián Ruiz and Rodri, and displayed “too many imprecisions” in ball control and passing. He noted the lack of a viable plan B and the inability to adapt to Spain’s possession style.

On July 15 Mbappé reiterated that poor pressing was the key factor, again highlighting the three‑versus‑two midfield imbalance and the need for sharper one‑on‑one pressure.

U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, reflecting on his own team’s 4‑1 exit to Belgium, cited a costly error as a motivator for improvement. Both captains emphasized accountability as they prepared for their respective consolation matches – France for third place in Miami against the loser of the Argentina‑England semi, and the United States for its own post‑tournament rebuilding.