Kylian Mbappe criticizes French team's 'careless' performance after World Cup exit

Kylian Mbappe did not hold back in his criticism of the French team's performance following their World Cup semifinal defeat to Spain, stating that his team was too "careless" and lacked the necessary tactical execution. The French captain highlighted significant issues in midfield, where he felt Spain's players, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, had too much time and space to dictate play.

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We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that's difficult. Fabian and Rodri had a lot of time to play. There was a lack of communication in the press. I think we should have played man-to-man and forced them to run with us.

"We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that's difficult," Mbappe said. "Fabian and Rodri had a lot of time to play. There was a lack of communication in the press. I think we should have played man-to-man and forced them to run with us." He also lamented the team's technical sloppiness, which he believes prevented them from effectively threatening the Spanish defense.

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We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win.

France entered the semifinal having won their previous six matches and scoring 16 goals, but they struggled to generate chances against Spain. Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute via a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal, and Pedro Porro doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. Mbappe acknowledged that the team did not play the game they intended, stating, "We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win."

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As captain, I have to take all the responsibility and I have no problem with that. We wanted to go to the final. We didn't go.

Despite substitutions made by coach Didier Deschamps, including Adrien Rabiot at halftime and later Desirea Douea and Rayana Cherki, France could not overcome Spain's control. Mbappe himself, who had scored eight goals in the tournament, failed to find the net. France is now set to face the loser of the Argentina-England semifinal in the third-place match.

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We were too technically careless. We couldn't threaten them when we could have.