France's 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday has been branded an 'utter disaster' by French media, with L'Equipe handing out five 2/10 ratings to Les Bleus players. The match, played in Miami, was supposed to be a fond farewell for manager Didier Deschamps in his final game, but instead he was forced into a triple substitution at half-time to prevent outright humiliation.
First-Half Collapse
England led 4-0 at the break after goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a Bukayo Saka brace. Thomas Tuchel's side dominated the opening period, with Rice scoring in the 3rd minute after a costly misplaced pass from Desire Doue. Konsa added the second before the first hydration break, and Saka struck twice to put the game seemingly beyond doubt.
France fought back in the second half with a Kylian Mbappe brace and a goal from Bradley Barcola, making it 4-3. However, after Michael Olise missed a golden chance to equalise, Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was fouled. Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for France, but Jude Bellingham sealed the win for England in stoppage time.
L'Equipe's Brutal Ratings
L'Equipe, known for its harsh player ratings, did not hold back. Five players received a 2/10 score: defenders Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, and Theo Hernandez, as well as midfielders Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix were given 3/10. The publication's match report stated: 'Never before had the French team witnessed such contradictory and bizarre acts, so equally unfathomable, both in their vertiginous fall and their subsequent comeback.'
RMC Sport's Verdict
RMC Sport were slightly more lenient, giving 2/10 to Gusto, Hernandez, and Cherki. Their highest rating went to defensive substitute Dayot Upamecano, highlighting the defensive vulnerability in the first half. Of Cherki, they wrote: 'A brief flash of brilliance came with a perfect through ball that Mbappé failed to capitalise on, followed by a shot on target. And that was it. The Manchester City player received a dressing-down from Deschamps during the first water break, but it had no effect. Replaced by Dembele at half-time, Cherki had a disappointing World Cup.'
France Info: 'Utter Disaster'
France Info acknowledged France's second-half fightback but emphasised the damage of the first 45 minutes. 'Didier Deschamps nearly ended his 14-year tenure as manager of the French national team in utter disaster, abandoned by his players,' they wrote. 'Trailing 4-0 at half-time against England, they finally shook off their insolent apathy to avoid a historic humiliation. The French team was transformed offensively after the four substitutions made at the break, but failed to address its defensive frailties. They ultimately lost by a more forgiving margin, by the unreal score of 6-4.'
Foot Mercato's Criticism
Foot Mercato singled out Konate for the most scathing criticism, but also had harsh words for Doue, who was outshone by club and international colleague Barcola. 'Deployed on the left wing, Désiré Doué endured a nightmare start to the match against England's intense pressure,' they said, giving him a 2.5/10. 'Guilty of a costly misplaced pass in the center of the pitch as early as the 3rd minute, the midfielder gifted Declan Rice the opening goal, immediately plunging Les Bleus into a crisis. Too hesitant in his decision-making, struggling to direct the play, and overwhelmed by the Three Lions' pressing, he was logically one of the victims of Didier Deschamps' major tactical overhaul at half-time, being substituted immediately after the break following a very difficult 45 minutes.'
