Fifa World Cup: ‘France were better’, says gracious Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez

In charge of Uruguay for the last three World Cups, Tabarez has taken his teams beyond the group stage each time – to the semi-final in 2010, the last-16 in 2014, and the quarters in Russia.

They were comfortably beaten 2-0, however, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium by a smooth-looking French team.

“We couldn’t control their strengths,” Tabarez said, looking sad but calm after his players left the field in tears to an ovation from their travelling fans.

“Today we played against opponents who were better and stronger than us. We have to admit it and congratulate them.”

The Europeans won with a Raphael Varane header in the first half and a fumble by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in the second that let a soft Antoine Griezmann shot go in.

“I told all my players after the match that they can be very proud, they can keep their heads high,” said Tabarez, who saw his team nearly equalise at the end of the first half but otherwise create little.

“I’m not going to tell you what I said with my goalkeeper. He has been a very important pillar for us. I am not going to wash my hands putting any responsibility on the players.”