Global Press Slams "Les Bleus": "Weakest French Team Ever Seen at a World Cup"

The global press didn't hold back in their criticism of the French national team following their brutal 2-0 loss to Spain in Tuesday's World Cup semi-finals. "They're heading home after deluding themselves, and everyone else," declared the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

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France fell from a great height on Tuesday against Spain, and with them, many observers. While the Spanish press celebrated after the masterclass "La Roja" delivered to "Les Bleus" (2-0) in the World Cup semi-final, international media focused on the disappointment of the French, who had been touted as favorites for weeks, notes Radio Monte Carlo. The German publication Der Spiegel summarized this dominance with a simple equation: "The best collective > the best individuals."

"Spain turned the previously dominant French into mere statistics," wrote the media in an article titled "The Day of Complete Harmlessness." "It's great to have an attacking quartet of such caliber, but it doesn't work if no one passes them the ball," commented the Daily Mail. "This loss will be hard to swallow for a France that expected much more on their national holiday."

The Argentine newspaper Olé offered a sharp, yet accurate, analysis of this "true rout." "At times, it was a real footballing lesson," the media added. "The World Cup now has its first finalist, and the Spanish deserve applause because they made the favorites look ridiculous. France got lost between their words and their actions. The final 'Olé, Olé, Olé' was completely deserved."

In the absence of their national team from the last three World Cups, Gazzetta dello Sport remains a very attentive observer of the tournament. And very scathing, as it congratulated "incredible Spain." "Magnificent and dominant Spain, superior in every respect," insisted the newspaper. "A fully deserved place in the final. A totally destroyed France: the weakest, most insignificant French team ever seen at a World Cup in memory."

"They're heading home after deluding themselves, and everyone else, into believing the World Cup would be theirs," continued the leading Italian sports daily's criticism. "Without Kylian Mbappé, who suddenly disappeared, without everyone else. Were their first opponents weak? No, this Spain is in another league, and 'Les Bleus' historically struggle against them: they can't control their game, which destabilizes them, drives them crazy. There was no match, from the first minute to the last." "Les Bleus narrowly avoided humiliation, helpless and crushed," the newspaper concluded.