France’s hopes of winning the 2026 World Cup ended with a 2-0 semi-final defeat by Spain on Tuesday, July 14.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage in the second half. France struggled to disrupt the European champions, while several of Didier Deschamps’ leading attackers failed to influence the match.
Michael Olise was among those who endured a difficult evening. The Bayern Munich playmaker started in his customary number ten role but was replaced by Rayan Cherki after 72 minutes, according to ESPN’s match statistics.
Early promise gives way to decline
Olise had arrived at the tournament in excellent form. On June 8, he scored all three French goals in a 3-1 friendly victory over Northern Ireland, a performance that reinforced his growing importance to Deschamps’ side, as reported by Fox Sports.
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He carried that momentum into the opening stages of the World Cup. After providing two assists in France’s 3-0 round-of-32 victory over Sweden, Olise had registered five assists in the tournament — one short of Pelé’s record for a single World Cup, according to L’Équipe.
His influence subsequently declined. Olise struggled to reproduce his earlier creativity in the later knockout matches, culminating in a subdued performance against Spain.
Olise disappears against Spain
Olise was described by L’Équipe as frequently brilliant through the round of 32 before slipping into mediocrity and becoming “invisible” in the semi-final.
That assessment reflected a wider problem for France. Olise was not alone in falling short, with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola also unable to impose themselves on a disciplined Spanish defence.
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Nevertheless, Olise’s decline stood out because of the standards he had set earlier in the competition. France increasingly looked to him to connect midfield and attack, but against Spain he was unable to find space or deliver the decisive pass his side required.
Deschamps had demanded the same level
After Olise’s hat-trick against Northern Ireland, Deschamps had highlighted both the player’s confidence and the importance of maintaining his form.
“He is radiant after his season with Bayern, and with us as well,” Deschamps said, quoted by L’Équipe. “He is full of confidence and so decisive. We will need Michael at this level.”
That level ultimately proved beyond Olise when France needed it most. His five assists remain evidence of a productive tournament, but his quiet conclusion will form part of the wider examination of why France’s title challenge stalled one match short of the final.
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