France's dream of retaining their European title was left in tatters as Spain claimed a hard-fought 2-1 semi-final victory, sending shockwaves through the French camp and raising serious questions about the future of Didier Deschamps' managerial tenure. The tournament had seen Les Bleus abandon their tried-and-tested defensive solidity in favour of an attacking flair that thrilled the fans but ultimately proved disastrous against a top-tier opponent.
The contrast between France's high-octane performances and their lacklustre defensive displays was stark, with their critics long arguing that Deschamps' conservative approach had stifled his team's true potential. For many, this tournament was a case of too little, too late – a belated attempt to unleash the full fury of French attacking firepower, but one that ultimately exposed vulnerabilities that had been papered over for far too long.
The semi-final showdown with Spain served as a damning indictment of France's revised strategy. Trailing 1-0 at half-time, they struggled to contain their opponents' midfield dominance, and the decisive moment came when Lucas Digne's ill-judged tackle on Lamine Yamal handed Spain the chance to seal victory from the spot.
Deschamps departs having secured a World Cup title and a string of impressive results, but his legacy will be forever tainted by this tournament's failure to deliver what many expected: a repeat of 2018's triumph. The question on everyone's lips is whether he has finally lost the plot, or if this was simply a case of 'what might have been' had France stuck to their winning formula.
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Deschamps' decision to ditch his defensive mantra for an attacking revolution has left a legacy of regret and disappointment that may take years to overcome. As he departs the scene, one cannot help but wonder what might have been if he had stuck to his guns and let his team play with the freedom they craved.