France coach Didier Deschamps said his players were devastated after the national team lost 2-0 [1] to Spain in the World Cup semi-final.

The defeat marks a significant blow to the French squad, ending their pursuit of a third World Cup title, and removing them from contention for the championship trophy.

Speaking after the match on July 14, 2024 [2], Deschamps described the emotional state of his squad in the locker room. “Les joueurs étaient anéantis,” Deschamps said [3], noting that the players were devastated by the result.

Beyond the emotional toll, Deschamps questioned the quality of the officiating during the match. He hinted at concerns regarding the level of the referee during the contest—a move that suggests the coaching staff believes external factors influenced the outcome of the game.

The 2-0 [1] loss concludes France's run in the tournament. The team had entered the semi-final as a primary contender, but the defeat to Spain halted their momentum and sent them out of the competition.

Deschamps did not elaborate on specific refereeing decisions in his immediate remarks, but his comments pointed toward a perceived inconsistency in how the game was managed. The French side struggled to break through the Spanish defense throughout the match, leading to the shutout result.

““Les joueurs étaient anéantis””

The exit of France from the World Cup semi-finals shifts the tournament's power dynamic, removing one of the most successful modern football programs from the final. Deschamps' comments regarding the refereeing may signal a period of friction between the French federation and match officials, while the emotional state of the players suggests a difficult recovery period before the next international cycle.