Konaté warns France after World Cup heartbreak against Spain

France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain has ended their World Cup campaign, consigning Les Bleus to the third‑place playoff against England. Defender Ibrahima Konaté, the new Real Madrid signing, reflected on the loss, stressing that the setback demands a swift regrouping before Saturday’s match. He spoke at a press conference on the eve of Saturday’s third‑place match, where Les Bleus will face England, who were beaten 2-1 by Argentina. The 27‑year‑old said he found himself – almost against his will – reflecting on the encounter with La Roja. “Three straight losses – that hurts, and as a competitor, we can’t accept it,” Konaté admitted, referring to the recent matchups between the two European powerhouses. He added that Spain were better in the semifinal.

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He recalled that at Euro 2024 Spain were better, and in the Nations League the same team also outperformed France. He highlighted Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams as being at 100% in those games. Konaté said France must “learn and understand” the reasons behind the setbacks, describing Tuesday’s defeat as easy to explain. He stated, “We came up against a Spanish team that were better,” dismissing any notion of psychological manipulation.

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He warned that this is not the end of the road for Les Bleus, noting that other opportunities will arise to seek revenge. He affirmed the squad will do everything possible to be ready for the next battle. The upcoming third‑place clash against England offers France a chance to finish the tournament on a higher note, and Konaté emphasized the importance of preparation for that encounter.