Deschamps: We Were Inferior, But I Question if This Referee Was Up to Semi-Final Standard

France's head coach, Didier Deschamps, was understandably distraught following his team's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. The "Les Bleus" manager conceded that his squad was outplayed but also voiced his dissatisfaction with the match's main referee, Salvadoran Ivan Barton.

"The players are devastated, but we must be objective – we were technically inferior. The fault lies with us. However, I will ask one question: did the referee have the caliber to officiate a semi-final? I won't answer that. There were quite a few incidents...

But the primary reason is that we were simply not good enough, making technical errors and passes that could have led to chances. This is the highest level, even if it hurts. We will play in the third-place playoff. I don't want to dismiss everything we've achieved, but in this match, Spain showed more," Deschamps stated after the game.

The France coach added: "The officiating? If I say anything, I'll sound like a whiner because we lost. There was a penalty, but it's not just that; it's in addition. I have nothing against the referee tonight, but ask yourselves if he was up to the standard for a semi-final.

I'm not thinking about myself; I prepared the match with the players with the goal of going all the way. We didn't succeed, and the disappointment is immense. But I don't deny all the good things we've done. I thought we had recovered very well... I'm not taking anything away from the Spanish team, who were in control."

"We lacked technical precision and freshness. The Spanish know very well how to cut off attacks with proactive moves and passes. We would have liked to create more problems for them in attack," Deschamps concluded.