French press describes the Roosters as "offensively ineffective"

The newspaper La Croix attacked the two-time world champions, stating, “France collapsed so miserably that it is difficult to salvage any player of decent quality in a semifinal that will remain a nightmare (0-2). Luka Djigoui committed an unforgivable error, and Michael Ullieseh offered nothing, dragging the entire team down with him,” while emphasizing that “luxury was Spanish.”

For its part, L’Equipe headlined its website “The Collapse in Dallas” for “the Blues,” writing that “the French national team, which suffocated in all aspects of the game, lost logically.”

The newspaper added that “on July 14, their day of glory did not arrive,” and that the players “lacked personality,” receiving “a football lesson from the Spanish.”

French press outlets unanimously praised the superiority of the Spanish team, described as “masters of the game,” and their “resilience and well-organized play.” Le Figaro, on its front page, criticized the French national team, which was “often confused and lacking inspiration.”

L’Depesche de Toulouse wrote, “The highly coordinated Spanish team completely overshadowed the French national team,” while the daily newspaper Sud Ouest headlined “Fall from the Top,” noting on its front page that the French, “who fell behind from the first half, failed to find the key to victory against the Spanish Armada.”