France's Konaté Admits Low Motivation Ahead of World Cup Third-Place Match

Following France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup semifinals, French defender Ibrahima Konaté spoke candidly about the team's mood ahead of their third-place playoff against England. Konaté acknowledged the disappointment and low motivation, stating, "Of course no one wants to play this game. We wanted to be in the final, not competing for third place, but we have no choice."

Reflecting on the loss to Spain, Konaté admitted that the Spanish team was superior, saying, "We were very determined but couldn't succeed. Spain was simply better. We played poorly against them, and I do not deny that." He also compared Spain's current squad to the one they faced at Euro 2024, noting that the earlier team was stronger, with players like Amin Yamal and Nico Williams at their peak. Despite Yamal not being at his best this time, France still lost.

Konaté highlighted the pain of losing three consecutive major tournament matches to Spain, emphasizing, "It's not a minor thing to lose to them. They are European champions, but we must get up and move forward." He also paid tribute to outgoing coach Didier Deschamps, appreciating the joy he brought to the team over the years.