French supporters had sky-high hopes for their side: a semi-final clash on Bastille Day with Kylian Mbappe as the star and an unbeaten record. Throughout the nation, pubs overflowed with fans spilling onto sidewalks, set to celebrate with fireworks in anticipation of reaching the final.

Yet the evening turned out quiet and subdued, with streets emptying soon after. On Wednesday morning, French journalists continued to process the letdown from the World Cup semi-final loss, commending Spain's showing in Texas as they tried to make sense of Les Bleus' sudden drop.

"Demolished" was the headline in the print version of sports daily L'Equipe for its game coverage. The French World Cup run "merited better than this calamitous match, this calamitous approach and feelings", noted Vincent Duluc. He added that France had no grounds to protest the result owing to the "sense of hardly having competed properly, and of letting down the enchantment of this American vision".

Duluc observed that the side lacked physical readiness, made technical errors, and most notably the athletes seemed "psychologically overwhelmed by the emotional weight of the encounter".

Having elevated the French squad to great heights over recent weeks, Le Monde's reporter Alexandre Lemarie felt downcast. "The descent is as harsh as it is hurtful," the publication stated. It marked a "harsh letdown", especially considering prior results: "A group shortfall."

This semi-final match would linger for negative reasons, according to the writer from northern regional daily La Voix du Nord, calling it one that would "stay a bad dream". Ouest France led its cover with "The close of the American vision" alongside an image of Mbappe holding his head. "They dropped from an enormous height," appeared in Liberation.

Within Le Figaro, Baptiste Desprez expressed dismay yet noted Spain's ability. "Les Bleus, overwhelmed, battered and unable to string three passes together despite their potential at the tournament's outset, confronted opponents superior to them," he stated. "It is unfortunate. Aggravating. But such is sport. The better team prevailed."