Kylian Mbappé, the talented forward from Real Madrid, expressed his disappointment after France’s elimination in the Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain. Despite setting up an early lead for France through Randal Kolo Muani, Mbappé couldn’t prevent Spain from securing a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena. This defeat marked the end of Mbappé’s campaign, where he managed to score only one goal from a penalty in the group stage.
Mbappé faced early setbacks in the tournament when he broke his nose in the first game against Austria, causing him to miss the match against the Netherlands. Although he returned to the field wearing a mask in subsequent games, including matches against Poland, Belgium, and Portugal, he decided to discard it for the semi-final clash with Spain due to discomfort and restricted vision. French coach Didier Deschamps supported his decision, acknowledging the challenges posed by wearing a mask on the pitch.
With Mbappé not at his best, the French team encountered difficulties in finding their rhythm at Euro 2024. The goal scored by Kolo Muani against Spain was the first one from open play by a French player in the tournament, highlighting the team’s lack of attacking prowess. Adding to the woes, Antoine Griezmann also faced criticism and was dropped from the starting lineup in the crucial semi-final match.
Deschamps, who has led France to World Cup success and a European Championship final, admitted that his team fell short in the Euro 2024 campaign. Despite the disappointment, he is expected to continue as the French national team coach, with a contract running for two more years. However, veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who recently moved to Los Angeles FC, seems to have played his final game for France, as he plans to retire from international football post the Euros.
Deschamps praised Giroud for his contributions to the national team over the years, highlighting his professionalism, longevity, and leadership qualities. Even though Giroud had limited playing time during Euro 2024, his presence on and off the pitch was valuable for the squad. As the last remaining player from the beginning of Deschamps’ tenure, Giroud leaves behind a legacy of commitment and dedication to the French jersey.
The Euro 2024 journey turned out to be a disappointing chapter for Kylian Mbappé and France, as they failed to meet the high expectations set for the tournament. While Mbappé struggled with setbacks and injuries, the French team as a whole faced challenges in finding their form and fell short against a strong Spanish side. With Deschamps looking ahead to the upcoming World Cup and Giroud bidding farewell to international football, it marks the end of an era for French football with a mix of disappointment and reflections on past glories.
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