Former France and Arsenal star Patrick Vieira took aim at two Les Bleus stars after their limp World Cup exit against Spain.
La Roja booked their place in Sunday’s final after outclassing France in Texas on Tuesday night in a 2-0 victory.
The Euro 2024 champions took the lead after 22 minutes with Mikel Oyarzabal blasting home his penalty after Lamine Yamal was cut down by Lucas Digne. The Aston Villa full-back was caught unaware as the Spain winger broke into the box, swinging out a leg and catching the Barcelona star.
Digne was among those at fault for Spain’s second just before the hour mark as Dani Olmo and Pedro Porro played a delightful one-two on the edge of the box with the Tottenham star lashing home.
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While Digne’s performance was criticised, former France international Vieira also singled out Desire Doue for his role in Spain’s second goal, believing the Paris Saint-Germain star was guilty of failing to track Porro’s run.
‘Digne of course should do better. We are talking about someone with experience. But on the other side Doue has the responsibility as well,’ Vieira told ITV1.
‘The one-two was played around him, he has to be around him to stop his run or follow him. We can blame Digne for his tactical position but Doue has to be more decisive and more defensive-minded.
‘We are talking about someone who won the Champions League. Defensively the awareness has to go to a different level.’
Spain dominated the competition favourites with Vieira hailing the collective tactical performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side.
The former Arsenal star conceded Michael Olise, who lit up the competition in its earlier stages, ‘did not get involved’, mainly due to the quality of the Spanish performance.
‘Spain were the better team, France did not turn up at all,’ Vieira said.
‘I said before Spain had to be at their best to beat this French team and I think they were above that. Collectively it was fantastic from them.
‘Tactically they were all over them. Olise was the main man and we needed him to get on the ball but they stopped him and he didn’t get involved in the game.
‘They won the game tactically, France were not allowed to get comfortable on the ball. We needed our top players to perform today and they didn’t.
‘It wasn’t just one or two of them that was missing, it was all of them who were missing today. Collectively we were really bad.’