The French squad’s American dream was abruptly halted on Tuesday, as they succumbed to a 0-2 loss against Spain in the World Cup semi-finals. Despite entering the match on a strong run of six consecutive victories, Les Bleus found themselves unable to counter Spain’s formidable collective strength and tactical mastery. This elimination marks a recurring pattern, as France has previously been ousted by La Roja at similar stages in Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League.

“Technically, we fell short. That’s on us,” Didier Deschamps conceded on M6 after the final whistle. However, the French national team coach also voiced his reservations regarding the match’s officiating. He provocatively asked, “Is the referee competent enough to officiate a semi-final? I’ll leave that question unanswered. There were numerous questionable situations…”

Moments later, speaking on beIN Sports, Deschamps reiterated his concerns: “If I articulate my thoughts, I’ll be perceived as a sore loser simply because we were defeated. Nevertheless, I pose the question: does this referee possess the caliber required for a World Cup semi-final? Beyond the penalty incident, which certainly played a part, other situations compounded the issue. I hold no personal grievance against the official tonight, but I urge you to consider the standard of officiating.”

“i don’t believe the referee favored either side”

When pressed to comment on his counterpart’s statements, Luis de la Fuente delivered a subtle retort. “When the outcome doesn’t go your way, it’s common to seek justifications… We, too, encountered challenging moments with the officiating, as seen in our match against Uruguay. This often stems from the referees’ inclination to allow play to flow,” the Spanish coach remarked during his press conference.

He further elaborated, “If Deschamps indeed made those comments… both teams were subjected to the same standard of officiating. I do not believe the referee showed any bias towards either side. He even disallowed one of our goals due to an offside call. However, my focus isn’t on the refereeing. Instead, I believe everyone involved – the referees, VAR officials, us as coaches and players, and indeed all participants in this beautiful game of football – should strive for continuous improvement each passing day.”

Adding his perspective on the officiating, Rodri, the captain of La Roja, stated, “For three consecutive matches, we’ve contended with similar scenarios. We’re discussing 10 or 15 uncalled fouls. When such infractions go unpunished, defensive players persist in their actions. The level of permissiveness is undeniable, particularly in today’s game. Yet, despite this, the referee delivered a strong performance overall.”

Following a match characterized by disappointing individual performances and potential tactical shortcomings from Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus will now aim to conclude their World Cup journey on a positive note in the “third-place” playoff this Saturday at 11 PM. This encounter will also mark Deschamps’ final fixture at the helm. Meanwhile, the Spanish squad sets its sights on securing a second World Cup title, facing either Argentina or England in the grand final.