The international media were harsh on the French national team after their defeat to Croatia. The French crashed out in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, and the shaky defense is a major concern. Kylian Mbappé also faced criticism.
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Les Bleus slammed by national and international press after dismal Nations League exit.
"Backs against the wall," read the stark headline of L'Équipe following France’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. The French national team, often viewed as one of the strongest in the world, produced a performance that shocked fans and analysts alike one that was branded a defensive collapse, a tactical failure, and a mental breakdown on the pitch.
The prestigious French sports daily didn’t hold back, directing much of its criticism at the centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté. Both were labelled as major contributors to France’s undoing, receiving dismal ratings of 3 and 2 respectively. L'Équipe wrote, “There was a shipwreck in the heart of France’s defense. On Thursday night, they embodied the great vulnerability of Les Bleus at the back.” Their positioning, decision-making, and lack of cohesion were repeatedly exposed by a well-drilled Croatian side that executed its game plan to perfection.
RMC Sport echoed the sentiment with a blunt assessment: "France were punished." According to the French outlet, Croatia completely controlled the rhythm and flow of the game from start to finish. "The match was dominated by the Croatians, who played exactly the game they needed to. France were defensively fragile and too timid in attack. It was a disastrous night," the report added. Questions were also raised about Didier Deschamps’ tactical decisions and the lack of urgency shown by the entire French squad throughout the 90 minutes.
Internationally, the media response was equally brutal. In Spain, Diario AS did not mince words, calling France “a tragedy”. The article claimed the defeat wasn’t just an isolated incident but rather the latest in a series of underwhelming performances over the past five years. “It was yet another shameful performance, something that has become a constant,” wrote the Madrid-based paper, referring to France’s inconsistency and apparent identity crisis since their 2018 World Cup triumph.
Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport described the French side as “overclassed” and their backline as “a sleeping defense”. Their analysis pointed out how Deschamps’ side failed to respond to Croatia’s midfield dominance and clever movement in the final third. “Didier Deschamps’ team lacked inspiration. Kylian Mbappé was nowhere to be seen, just like Randal Kolo Muani,” the piece added, singling out France’s attacking duo for their invisible display.
Perhaps the most scathing review came from Germany’s BILD, which took direct aim at Kylian Mbappé, who recently returned to international duty after a brief absence. “His return to the French national team was a total failure,” wrote BILD, arguing that the Real Madrid forward failed to show any leadership, spark, or determination that one would expect from a global star in a knockout fixture.
This performance has sparked renewed debate in France about the team’s direction heading into Euro 2024. The pressure on Deschamps is mounting, with critics accusing him of relying too heavily on reputation and experience rather than form and fitness. The lack of chemistry between players, questionable squad selections, and tactical rigidity have all been highlighted as factors contributing to the national team’s recent slump.
With the return leg against Croatia scheduled for Sunday at the Stade de France, the French squad now finds itself under immense pressure to respond. Though the Nations League is no longer within reach, the match will serve as a crucial test of character and cohesion an opportunity to restore pride and rebuild confidence ahead of the summer’s major tournament.
Kick-off is set for 20:45 local time. All eyes will be on Paris, not just to see how France plays, but to assess whether this team still has the fire and identity to compete at the highest level.
Updated: 11:15, 21 Mar 2025
