Vieira blasts France after Spain expose toothless Les Bleus in World Cup semi-final

Spain ended France’s bid for a third consecutive World Cup final with a composed 2-0 victory at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, as Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro condemned a toothless Les Bleus to a semi-final exit.

Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Lucas Digne clumsily kicked out at Lamine Yamal in the area. Porro added a second after the break to put the result beyond doubt, with France failing to register a single shot on target until the 81st minute.

The defeat was a sobering milestone for Didier Deschamps’ side: it was the first time they had fallen behind at any point in this World Cup, ending a run of six successive matches without conceding the lead on the way to the last four.

Former France international Patrick Vieira did not spare his compatriots in his post-match assessment. The ex-Arsenal midfielder, who won the 1998 World Cup alongside Deschamps as a player, was unsparing in his verdict.

“I think the French team didn’t turn up in this first half,” Vieira said. “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.”

Vieira was particularly critical of France’s midfield shape, arguing that a lack of pressing allowed Spain to dictate the game with ease. “I felt it was really quite comfortable for the Spanish to control the game,” he added. “I would like to see one of the holding midfielders to commit himself a little bit more and to create the four against four to put them more under pressure. At the moment, the Spanish are doing what we expect them to do and are really comfortable on the ball.”

France’s evening was further complicated by an injury to Arsenal defender William Saliba, who was forced off before half-time with an apparent back problem. Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix came on as his replacement, but the change did little to alter France’s fortunes as Spain comfortably managed the game through to the final whistle.

Spain will now advance to Sunday’s World Cup final, while France’s hopes of becoming the first nation to appear in three consecutive finals have been extinguished.