Mbappe wasn’t the only member of the squad to express bewilderment at the performance. Rayan Cherki, who was introduced as a second-half substitute in an attempt to spark a comeback, echoed his captain’s sentiments regarding France’s lack of hunger on the big stage. The Manchester City playmaker felt that despite the talent available to Deschamps, the team simply failed to show up in any meaningful way.
“I don’t know what to say. They were better than us in every part of the game, and they were hungrier than us I think,” Cherki said. “It is sad because I still believe that we are a better team than them, but this afternoon Spain has been better than us. Even in an off day, we have to be a bit better technically, tactically, in the desire.
“In so many ways, France was missing everything today. Truly, everything was missing today. We’ll be back in four years, and we won’t make the same mistakes.”