Deschamps questions referee's level after France's World Cup semi-final exit to Spain

Didier Deschamps ended his tenure as France manager with a pointed question about the referee after Les Bleus were eliminated from the World Cup by Spain in the semi-finals, a result that ended France’s bid for a third successive final appearance.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Lucas Digne brought down Lamine Yamal — the decisive call of the match that allowed Spain to take control and ultimately see out the win.

Deschamps was careful not to directly blame the official, but his post-match comments left little doubt about his reservations. “I’ll ask a loaded question and I won’t answer it,” he said. “Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semi-final? And I’m not saying this just because we lost today. There were quite a few situations. There were some favourable calls, too.”

The outgoing coach was also candid about his side’s performance, acknowledging that Spain deserved their place in the final. “Of course, there is a lot of disappointment. The players are devastated because we had a lot of ambition, even though we also have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a notch below on the technical level against a team that controlled the game well. But first of all, it’s our fault, I don’t want to blame anyone.”

Deschamps departs after a reign that delivered the 2018 World Cup title, but the manner of this exit appeared to leave a bitter taste.

Kylian Mbappé, who had been among the tournament’s standout performers in the earlier rounds, offered a pointed assessment of France’s display that appeared to reflect on the coaching staff’s tactical decisions. “We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don’t win,” the Real Madrid forward said. “Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo.”

The comments from both Deschamps and Mbappé paint a picture of a squad that felt it had the quality to go further, but one that was ultimately outmanoeuvred by a Spain side that dominated possession and dictated the tempo throughout.