FIFA World Cup: Kylian Mbappe targets tactics after ‘sloppy’ France exit by Spain | Football news

France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) after the World Cup semi-final match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas. (AP photo)

Kylian Mbappe he did not hide behind excuses. He looked at what happened in Arlington on Tuesday night and called it exactly what it was, a failure in every part of the game.France’s 2-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup semi-finals was as comprehensive as the scoreline might suggest, and with Mbappé held without a point on the night and unable to add to his eight tournament goals, he was brutally honest about where it went wrong. His words seemed to point directly at his manager Didier Deschamps.“We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, it’s difficult,” Mbappé said after the game. “Fabián Ruiz and Rodri had enough time to play. There was a lack of communication with the press. I think we should have made a man-to-man press and forced them to run with us.”The frustration was deeper than the tactical setting itself. Mbappé was critical of France’s technical execution throughout, admitting that the players themselves were equally to blame for the defeat.“We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically,” he said. “When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don’t win. Spain respected their game plan. Our plan was to press them high so they couldn’t establish their rhythm. We couldn’t do that. We were too sloppy technically. We couldn’t hurt them when we could.”Even when France got the ball back, Mbappé admitted the first touches weren’t good enough, giving possession straight back to a Spanish side who mercilessly punished every mistake. Oyarzabal’s penalty after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead, and Pedro Porro’s second-half strike put the result beyond doubt.Young replacement Rayan Cherki was just as intimidating. “In so many ways, France lacked everything today. Really, everything was lacking today,” said the Manchester City forward.Mbappé, who earned a yellow card in the 86th minute after a collision with goalkeeper Unai Simón, eventually accepted the responsibility that comes with the captaincy. As captain I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that. “We wanted to enter the final. We didn’t go.”France will now face Thursday’s semi-final losers Argentina against England in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami. For a team that arrived as the favorite of the tournament, this is an extremely humbling end.