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France fireworks fizzle as Spain advance to World Cup final

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France forward Rayan Cherki (bottom) reacts to his team's defeat at the end of the 2026 World Cup semi-final vs Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 14, 2026. (RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

France arrived in the World Cup semi-finals hailed as the most scintillating attacking force to grace the tournament since Brazil's fabled 1982 side.

But like Zico, Eder, Falcao and Socrates before them, Kylian Mbappe and company found out the hard way that dazzling football is no guarantee of survival.

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