France’s big name players failed to show up against Spain as they were beaten in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas.
The two-time world champions were beaten 2-0 and Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and co were all found wanting as Spain ran out comfortable winners.
Mikel Oyarzabal punished Les Bleus midway through the first half from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne had clumsily kicked out at Lamine Yamal in the area.
Patrick Vieira hits out at France’s semi-final display
Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in just before the hour mark and Patrick Vieira could not hold back his disappointment at France failing to make the final.
The game marked the first time Didier Deschamps’ side had fallen behind in this World Cup, ending a run of six matches in succession en route to the last-four stage.
France failed to register a shot on target until the 81st minute at Dallas Stadium and were regularly put under pressure by the European champions.
Former France international Vieira reacted to his country’s showing and did not hold back in his assessment of the account they gave of themselves in Arlington.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder won the World Cup alongside Deschamps as a player in 1998 but did not spare his former teammate’s charges on their latest showing.
Vieira said on ITV: “It was a big expectation of France to win the World Cup. We are all really disappointed by the result but mostly by the performance because we needed our top players to perform today and they didn’t do it.
“It wasn’t one or two that were missing, all of them were missing. Collectively we were really bad.”
France suffered a second setback before the break as Arsenal’s William Saliba had to be substituted due to an apparent back problem picked up while on the pitch.
The defender was replaced by Crystal Palace counterpart Maxence Lacroix as Deschamps’ side tried in vain to overturn their deficit and reach Sunday’s final.
Speaking at half time, Vieira said: “I think the French team didn’t turn up in this first half.
“I think it’s a huge disappointment, regarding the quality that they’ve showed so far in the tournament. I think they have to play with a little bit more intensity. They have to put that Spanish team a little bit more under pressure.
Meanwhile Gary Neville was full of praise for Spain as they made it through to the second successive major final – after winning the Euros in Germany two year’s ago.
And the former Manchester United and England defender was full of praise for Porro and Marc Cucurella.
Speaking on ITV, he said: “Absolutely incredible performance from Spain.
“I’m going to bring it back to my favourite topic which is full-backs and the biggest differential between both teams can be told through stories of the full-backs.
“[Pedro] Porro and [Marc] Cucurella have been absolutely outstanding against those French wide players and Lucas Digne really struggled against Lamine Yamal. We talked before the game about if he can turn up in the biggest moments and today he has done.
“We’re a little bit in shock here because we all had France [to win] and they have been blown away.”
