ARLINGTON, United States (AFP) — Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France’s World Cup dream on Tuesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side’s 2-0 semi-final defeat to France.

Mbappe had emerged as one of the stars of the tournament during France’s run to the last four, rattling in eight goals at the tip of a free-scoring attack that delighted fans worldwide.

But the 27-year-old French captain’s dreams of a third straight World Cup final appearance ended abruptly as Spain outplayed Les Bleus at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.