And just like that, France went out of Euro 2024 not with a bang but with a fizz. It was ultimately a disappointing campaign for Les Bleus, getting knocked out by Spain in the semi-finals having only scored one goal from open play, but no one will be as disappointed as Kylian Mbappé.
By Alex Roberts
After almost single-handedly dragging his side to the World Cup trophy at Qatar 2022 before falling at the final hurdle and losing to Argentina, the hopes of a nation were firmly set upon the 25-year old’s capable shoulders.
He started well. Mbappé was dangerous in their opening game against Austria despite playing as a more traditional number nine instead of his preferred left-wing, registering four shots and an xG of 0.81.
Then, it happened. Mbappé was forced off in the final minute of normal time with a gnarly broken nose following an aerial duel with big Austrian centre-half, Kevin Danso. Still, France managed to get the 1-0 win thanks to an own goal from Max Wöber.
The scramble to see if he could play the next game against the Netherlands started. A mask was fitted and chosen before UEFA inevitably ruled against him wearing one painted with the red, white, and blue of the Tricolour.
Unfortunately, Mbappé wasn’t ruled fit in time, and France missed him. It ended 0-0, France had most of the possession with 63% and more shots, 15, than the Dutch but they missed Mbappé’s clinical edge, his ability to score from almost any angle.
With their qualification on the line, Mbappé was brought back for their last game of Group D against Poland. Again, the French didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory. The main man’s 56th minute penalty was cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski’s in the 79th and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The group stage had come and gone; France made it out in second place with Austria finishing first having only scored one goal of their own. Defensively they were solid, conceding just once, but their attack left a lot to be desired.
Fans thought, ‘surely, they were just conserving energy? Saving themselves for when they get to the big time’. Belgium awaited in the round of 16, the golden generation may have come and gone, but they’re certainly one of the big boys. Perhaps this would be when France and Mbappé really turn up.
Mbappé was back on his preferred left-wing with Marcus Thuram playing as the number nine. Everything was lined up for him, but he never really affected the game. A 0% shot accuracy and zero chances created tells you all you need to know.
Once again, France were through by the skin of their teeth. 37-year-old Jan Vertonghen’s own goal was eventually enough to see them progress to the next round. Own Goal was now their top goal scorer, a spot usually reserved for Mbappé at major tournaments.
Ahead of their next game against Portugal, Mbappé addressed his poor form. When asked about why he no longer makes any runs in behind he said, “It depends on the team. When we had Paul Pogba, I could just blindly make a run and he would find me. Now I have to adapt to a different situation.”
He was right. No one in the French midfield had the ability to pick out a pass like Pogba could. Adrien Rabiot is mobile and hardworking but doesn’t really have an eye for a pass, N’Golo Kanté is arguably one of the best midfielders of his generation, but for totally different reasons, and Aurélien Tchouaméni is an intelligent defensive midfielder, but his best asset is his positioning and reading of the game, not passing.
After the excitement of Germany and Spain’s high octane football bonanza, the France vs Portugal game brought fans back down to earth. It may well have been the most boring game of the tournament, and that’s saying something.
Mbappé was once again inoffensive. Of his five shots on goal, three of them were from outside of the box, and the two that were inside were blocked by Portuguese defenders. He was eventually brought off in the 106th minute as the game went to penalties.
Diogo Costa was unable to replicate the penalty heroics that saw Portugal through in the previous round and France were somehow in the semi-finals. There, they faced their biggest challenge yet, Spain.
In the first 20 minutes, Mbappé and France were looking like they should. Some lovely movement from Mbappé fooled Jesús Navas and he was able to deliver a pin-point cross for Randal Kolo Muani to head home.
Then, 16-year-old, Lamine Yamal scored what may be the goal of the tournament. A beautiful long-range curling effort left the stadium stunned and took all the wind out of France’s sails. Just four minutes later they were behind thanks to some lovely footwork and a fantastic finish from Dani Olmo.
France had their chances but none of them came from Mbappé. Only one successful dribble throughout the entire game and only 29 touches mean he was barely involved at all.
Their tournament ended there, disappointed by what could have been. Now all Mbappé has to look forward to is finalising his move to Champions League winners, Real Madrid. It’s a tough life.
The football may not have been great, but Mbappé will be remembered for what he did off the pitch, speaking out against the French far-right before their election. Given the gravitas of his voice, that’s the most important thing he could have done.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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