Mbappé admits that France did not honor the jersey in the first half against England.

Kylian Mbappé took responsibility for France’s defeat to England (4-6) in the fight for the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup, offering a critical and honest analysis of the team’s performance. The French forward lamented the lack of commitment in the first half but praised the mental response that allowed for a partial recovery in the match played in Miami.

Mbappé explained that the team entered the game too relaxed, allowing England to completely dominate the first half. “There were two different halves. In the first, I can understand why some people think we embarrassed ourselves and did not honor the shirt. I will just say that we are human and that we cannot afford that luxury. We were completely stunned, and they gave us a reality check,” said the Real Madrid forward, reflecting on the negative impact of the French national team’s entry into the match.

The World Cup is experienced with LEGO.

In the second half, the attitude changed radically, something that Mbappé highlighted as fundamental for the team’s recovery, although the final result fell short of expectations. “In the second half, we were once again top-level players, mental machines. But in the end, we couldn’t win, and it’s a shame for the coach. We wanted to do something for him. In the first half, it felt like we disappointed him, and that wasn’t what we wanted him to feel. This game will not tarnish the legacy of Didier Deschamps,” he added, clearly paying tribute to the French coach in his farewell to the national team.

Despite scoring two goals in this match, Mbappé emphasized that his record as the top scorer in World Cups, with 22 goals, will likely be surpassed by Lionel Messi, who is competing in the final against Spain. “Messi always scores, and tomorrow [today] he will score, I’m sure of it. I just try to help my team, trying to score all the time. I would prefer not to be the top scorer in World Cup history and play in the final against Argentina. I think it’s good in terms of legacy, but at this moment, it’s not the first thing on my mind,” concluded the forward.

The defeat leaves France in fourth place in the 2026 World Cup, a bitter ending for a team with immense potential that failed to meet expectations at the decisive moment. Didier Deschamps’ farewell was marked by this defeat, but also by the expressed desire of Mbappé and his teammates to honor the legacy of one of the most significant coaches in the history of French football.

NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE