Deschamps to bow out in World Cup third-place play-off after semi-final defeat
Didier Deschamps will manage his final France game in Saturday's World Cup third-place play-off after a 2-0 loss to Spain.

France manager Didier Deschamps will bow out of international football in Saturday's World Cup third-place play-off after his side were beaten 2-0 by Spain in Tuesday's semi-final in Dallas. The 57-year-old confirmed in January that he would step down after the tournament, and the defeat ends his hopes of a second World Cup title as head coach.
Spain dominated the encounter, with France managing only 10 shots and an expected goals total of 0.3, their lowest in a World Cup match. Kylian Mbappe criticised his team's tactics, saying they were outnumbered in midfield and lacked communication on the press.
A record-breaking tenure
Deschamps, who has led France since 2012, set a record for the most World Cup games managed (26), surpassing the previous mark of 25 held by West Germany's Helmut Schon. He won the World Cup as a player in 1998 and as manager in 2018, becoming one of only three people to achieve that double.
- Deschamps won 20 of his 26 World Cup games as France boss, losing only three.
- He reached two World Cup finals and one semi-final in his three tournaments in charge.
- France's last match under Deschamps will be against the loser of the England-Argentina semi-final on Saturday.
- Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira said the team 'didn't show up' against Spain.
What's next
Deschamps will lead France in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday at 22:00 BST. He said in his post-match press conference that he is 'extremely happy' with his overall tenure but acknowledged the disappointment of the semi-final exit.
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