Arlington, July 16: France captain Kylian Mbappé has voiced disappointment over his team’s tactical performance following its defeat to Spain, saying the side failed to execute its game plan in a crucial knockout clash.
Speaking after the match, Mbappé said France struggled to compete in midfield and allowed Spain too much space to control possession.
He believed the team should have adopted a more aggressive man-to-man pressing strategy to disrupt Spain’s rhythm and force mistakes.
The French forward noted that Spain’s midfielders were able to dictate play for long periods because France’s pressing lacked coordination and intensity.
He added that the team could not perform according to its intended style, making it difficult to challenge one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Mbappé acknowledged Spain’s quality, praising its disciplined approach, effective ball control and ability to maintain the tempo throughout the match.
He said France’s plan was to apply pressure high up the pitch but admitted the players were unable to carry out those tactics successfully.
The defeat ended France’s hopes of reaching another major international final, leaving the team to focus on its remaining fixture in the competition.
Despite the setback, Mbappé emphasized the need for the squad to learn from the performance and improve ahead of future tournaments.
Spain’s victory secured its place in the final after producing a composed display built on midfield dominance and tactical discipline, while France was left to reflect on missed opportunities and an underwhelming performance.
