Alan Shearer has blasted France's attacking output after Les Bleus were dumped out of Euro 2024.
The 2018 World Cup winners had gone ahead against Spain in the semi-finals of the tournament through Randal Kolo Muani's early header. But a wondergoal from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo's superb strike saw them heading home instead of to Berlin.
Kolo Muani's goal was remarkably France's first from open play at this summer's championships. Before Tuesday's game, Kylian Mbappe's penalty against Poland in the group stage was their sole strike from their own players, with their other two goals going down as own-goals.
And Shearer believes their misery is rooted in boss Didier Deschamps' failure to get his attacking stars firing. The Newcastle legend picked out Mbappe's performance in the tournament as a particular disappointment after he set up Kolo Muani to score.
"You say only bit in the game, that was his only bit in the tournament. We kept on saying that we were waiting for them to click. Once that happened today for the very first time, where there was a good ball in and someone was actually on the end of it, we were thinking 'here we go'," Shearer told BBC Sport.
"They had the advantage of scoring that goal. I was thinking that might just give them the confidence o go on and do what we thought they might do in front of goal. So many times they were getting into good positions.
"Dembele today was probably more guilty than anyone of getting into good positions. But so frustrating when you get in there that they were delivering balls which were not a good ball and nothing happens.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was man of the match as France lost to Spain? Comment below.
"I think when you're in that position, you have to be expected to do better than what he's done. I was getting frustrated and angry here myself so I can only imagine how they're feeling out on the pitch."
Micah Richards meanwhile believes that questions now need to be asked of manager Deschamps. He told BBC Sport: "I just want to ask about the overall picture, for Deschamps and what it means for him.
"We have never questioned France before because they have got over the line. But they are playing horribly and they haven't won so where do they go from here? They need a structure, they need a balance."
The manager himself grew prickly when asked about his future, having recently signed an extension to his contract. He pointed the finger of blame at his players for not being able to play at their top level.
Deschamps said: "I've just lost a semi-final. You know how my president thinks. Maybe you shouldn't have even asked this question. My players didn't play to 100 percent of their capacity in these Euros for various reasons."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
