France’s Euro 2024 campaign came to a disappointing end with a 2-1 loss to Spain in the semifinals. Despite taking an early lead through Randal Kolo Muani, France failed to hold on as Spain fought back to secure a spot in the final. Kylian Mbappé, one of the stars of the French team, described the tournament as a failure, acknowledging the high expectations that were not met. With just one goal to his name, Mbappé struggled to make a significant impact in the competition.
Mbappé’s tournament got off to a rough start when he broke his nose in the opening game against Austria. This injury forced him to miss a match and play with a mask in subsequent games, which affected his performance on the field. The discomfort caused by the mask led Mbappé to make the decision to ditch it for the semifinal clash against Spain, but by then, the damage had been done. His absence at full capacity had a clear impact on France’s ability to compete at their best.
French coach Didier Deschamps faced criticism for the team’s performances, particularly in the absence of key players like Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. Deschamps took responsibility for the results but also acknowledged the quality of the Spanish side they faced. He expressed disappointment in the team’s inability to perform at their best and attributed it to various factors that affected their performance throughout the tournament.
Deschamps, despite the disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, is expected to continue as the head coach of the French national team. With two years left on his contract, he will likely lead Les Bleus into the 2026 World Cup. However, veteran striker Olivier Giroud has announced his retirement from international football following the Euros. Giroud, who has been a stalwart for the French team, made his last appearance against Spain but was unable to make a significant impact in his limited playing time.
As France reflects on their Euro 2024 campaign, there are clear lessons to be learned. The team’s struggles against top-quality opposition highlighted areas that need improvement, both in terms of individual performances and overall team strategy. Moving forward, France will need to regroup and address the shortcomings that were exposed during the tournament. With the World Cup on the horizon, there is still time for Les Bleus to bounce back and redeem themselves on the international stage.