Deschamp says France 'devastated' by defeat

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Deschamp says France 'devastated' by defeat

Arlington: France head coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left "devastated" by their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday.

Deschamps' free-flowing French team had dazzled the competition enroute to the last four, rattling in 16 goals in six games to earn comparisons to some of the greatest teams in FIFA World Cup history.

But France's dreams of a third FIFA World Cup title were left in tatters after a dominant Spanish performance that left Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament, struggling for answers.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3184194

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Mbappe admits France were below par

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Mbappe admits France were below par

Arlington: Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France's FIFA World Cup 2026 dream on Tuesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain.

Mbappe had emerged as one of the stars of the tournament during France's run to the last four, rattling in eight goals at the tip of a free-scoring attack that delighted fans worldwide.

But the 27-year-old French captain's dreams of a third straight FIFA World Cup final appearance ended abruptly as Spain outplayed Les Bleus at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Dream comes true for Spain's Porro

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Dream comes true for Spain's Porro

Arlington: Pedro Porro, who scored Spain's second goal in the 2-0 defeat of favourites France on Tuesday, said reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 final was "a dream come true".

Porro struck in the 58th minute after a sensational one-two with Dani Olmo, with the Tottenham Hotspur defender then clipping a fine finish past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

De la Fuente salutes Spain masterclass

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

De la Fuente salutes Spain masterclass

Arlington: Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente saluted his players as the "best team in the world" on Tuesday after a stunning 2-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final upset of France.

De la Fuente, who had repeatedly said Spain were the best side in the tournament, was left beaming with pride as La Roja outplayed France to reach Sunday's final.

It was another tactical masterpiece by the Spanish tactician, who oversaw his side's European Championship victory in 2024 and has now beaten France in three straight competitive matches.

S-final: Spain power past France

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

S-final: Spain power past France

Arlington: Spain stunned tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Tuesday, producing a tactical masterpiece to shatter Les Bleus' dreams of winning the title for the third time.

A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a 58th-minute Pedro Porro goal sealed an utterly clinical victory for the European champions at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Spain, FIFA World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

Preview - S-final: England v Argentina

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Preview - S-final: England v Argentina

Atlanta: England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back FIFA World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.

An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.