ARLINGTON, TX — It finally happened in the 81st minute of a 90-minute match. The most fearsome attack in the world put a shot on target.
France manager Didier Deschamps had headaches selecting which of his top-class attackers to play, putting fearsome foursomes on the field spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, spurred on by the creativity of Michael Olise and with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé on one wing.
They had smashed through teams, scoring six goals in three knockout matches on the way to Tuesday's semifinal.
Then, it met Spain.
The Désiré Doué shot from outside the box in the 81st and two shots by Dembélé from tight angles in the 96th and 97th minute as France desperately tried to break through were the only efforts they were able to put on Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon over the course of 90 minutes. Once again these teams met in a semifinal. Once again, France is out, with Spain winning 2-0 thanks to a goal on either side of halftime.
France manager Didier Deschamps had headaches selecting which of his top-class attackers to play, putting fearsome foursomes on the field spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, spurred on by the creativity of Michael Olise and with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé on one wing.
They had smashed through teams, scoring six goals in three knockout matches on the way to Tuesday's semifinal.
Then, it met Spain.
The Désiré Doué shot from outside the box in the 81st and two shots by Dembélé from tight angles in the 96th and 97th minute as France desperately tried to break through were the only efforts they were able to put on Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon over the course of 90 minutes. Once again these teams met in a semifinal. Once again, France is out, with Spain winning 2-0 thanks to a goal on either side of halftime.
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