Kylian Mbappé experienced one of the most difficult moments of his career at the World Cup. France’s elimination by Spain in the semifinals left him looking glum, lost in thought, and visibly affected by the fact that his team had been knocked out of the final.

In the photos from the end of the match, the captain of the “Tricolors” stands alone on the field, his gaze downcast and his body language betraying the tension and disappointment of the moment. At times he looks toward the stands; at others, he walks slowly, wiping his face; and in the end, he applauds the fans who stayed to cheer him on despite the elimination.

Kylian Mbappé finished the tournament with 8 goals and has now scored 20 in total at the World Cup, remaining the tournament’s top scorer alongside Messi. At 27, he carried the weight of leadership and expectations, but France clearly fell short of the occasion.

Spain crushed them, dictating the pace from the very first minute and comfortably advancing to the final. For Mbappé, the scene at the end of the match sums up the end of a great effort and the beginning of a new challenge: To bring France back to the top—now, barring any dramatic surprises, with Zinedine Zidane as coach.

*photo source: AP