France captain Kylian Mbappé has admitted that his side failed to deliver their best performance in the 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after the match, the Real Madrid forward said France fell short both technically and tactically, allowing Spain to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. He acknowledged that Les Bleus failed to execute their game plan and deserved the defeat after being outplayed by the Spaniards.

Mbappé accepted responsibility as captain, saying the players must take the blame for missing the chance to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. He admitted the team’s pressing strategy did not work, while poor ball control and missed opportunities prevented France from mounting a meaningful comeback.

Spain secured victory with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro to book their place in the World Cup final, while France will now compete in the third-place playoff. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.