Kylian Mbappe's hopes of playing in a third consecutive World Cup final were dashed on Tuesday night as France fell to a 2-1 defeat against Spain in the semi-finals. The Real Madrid star, who won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runner-up in 2022, would have become only the second player in history to appear in three successive finals had France advanced. Instead, that record remains the sole property of Brazil legend Cafu, who played in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 finals.
Mbappe's Stellar International Career
Mbappe burst onto the international scene as a teenager at Monaco and quickly established himself as a key figure for France. He scored in the 2018 final against Croatia and netted a hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina, though France lost on penalties. Heading into the 2026 tournament, Mbappe had scored eight goals en route to the semi-finals, with many tipping France to reclaim the title. However, Spain's disciplined performance ended those aspirations.
Cafu's Unique Achievement
Cafu, widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in football history, played for Brazil in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cup finals. He won the tournament in 1994 and 2002, with the 1998 final ending in a defeat to France. Mbappe, now 27, will have to wait until 2030 for another chance to match that feat, as France's World Cup cycle continues.
France's Tactical Struggles
Mbappe was critical of France's tactics in the aftermath of the defeat. "We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that's hard," he said. "Fabian Ruiz and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and forced them to run with us." He added: "We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. 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 and what the team usually does."
Missed Opportunities Since 2018
Since lifting the World Cup in 2018, Mbappe has experienced a series of near-misses on the international stage. France were eliminated by Switzerland in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020, with Mbappe missing the decisive penalty in the shootout. At the 2022 World Cup, they lost to Argentina in the final. Now, Spain have ended their hopes in the semi-finals of both Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. Mbappe will soon play under a new manager as Didier Deschamps prepares to step down, adding further uncertainty to France's future.
Mbappe's quest to emulate Cafu's record will now have to wait until at least 2030, when France will aim to reach the final once again. For now, Cafu remains the only player to have played in three consecutive World Cup finals, a testament to his longevity and success with Brazil.
