France were knocked out of the Nations League with a 5-4 defeat to a dazzling Spain side in Stuttgart — a painful semi-final loss despite a spirited late surge led by Kolo Muani, Barcola, and a brilliant debut from Rayan Cherki. In the locker room afterward, the mood was somber… but not defeated.
Mbappé: “We’re Gutted, But We Played Well”
Kylian Mbappé, captain of Les Bleus, addressed his teammates with honesty and resolve. “We’re gutted, but we didn’t play like crap,” he said. “We had some weak spells, sure, but overall we played well.” The forward pointed to “10-minute lapses” that proved costly but praised the team’s technical quality and attacking intent.
“We played clean, it was solid technically… Being gutted is normal — we wanted to reach the final, we’re competitors. But I’m telling you, there’s a lot to take from this.”
Regrets, But No Collapse
Coach Didier Deschamps and his staff echoed a similar tone, choosing to highlight the team’s attitude and fight. France won’t face Portugal in the final, but will have one last chance to make a statement against Germany in Sunday’s third-place match.
Despite the heartbreak, this match marked a turning point for several young talents — and a reminder that Les Bleus still have plenty of firepower for the future.
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