Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national football team, admitted that his players did not deliver the expected level after the 0-2 loss to Spain in Dallas in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Deschamps told M6: 'There is a lot of disappointment, the players are devastated because our ambitions were high, even if we also have to be realistic and admit that we were technically inferior to a team that controlled the game better, and even more than that. But the responsibility lies with us first, and I do not want to accuse anyone.' He also questioned the level of Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton who officiated the match, saying: 'Does the referee have the required level to manage a World Cup semi-final? I will not answer that. And it's not because we lost that I say this. There were many situations, and they often went against us as well, but the primary reason remains that we were slightly inferior and less dangerous offensively than we could have been, with some technical errors and passes that could have created situations and opportunities.' He added: 'We have to accept that, this is the highest level of football, even if it is painful, I do not want to deny everything that has been achieved, but in this specific match, Spain showed something extra.'