- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,225,930
- Reaction score
- 59
Kylian Mbappé embraced everyone and said he was "very happy" after guiding France into a third straight World Cup semi-final but they will not be fully satisfied until they get the trophy.
"The secret to this France team? There’s only one way to relax, and that’s by winning. Until we’ve done that, we don’t let up," Mbappé said.
"We’re in the semi-finals and we’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. We realise that what lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve been through, but we’re ready to face anything."
Mbappé missed a penalty but then scored a superb opening goal and set up Ousmane Dembélé for the other as Les Bleus beat Morocco 2-o to reach the last four where they will face European champions Spain or Belgium on Tuesday.
Duel with Messi
France won the title in 2018 and lost the 2022 final on penalties against Argentina. The two may meet again in the July 19 showcase for another duel between captains Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
Not even a hat-trick from Mbappé was good enough to win back-to-back titles four years ago although he won the Golden Boot as tournament top scorer with eight goals, one more than Messi.
This time they are tied at the top with eight each in a dramatic race that also includes Norway's Erling Haaland (seven), Harry Kane of England (six) and Dembélé (five).
Messi is top of the all-time list with a record 21 goals but Mbappé is right behind on 20.
Unbelievable Mbappé
"Unstoppable," French sports daily L'Equipe said on their website as the team rolled on with a sixth victory and a 16-2 goal difference.
Mbappé has netted half of them as Dembélé said that "Kylian is unbelievable" and coach Didier Deschamps said that "you don't have to worry when you have someone like Kylian in your team."
The 27-year-old shrugged off a brutally physical Paraguay team in the previous match and was also undeterred by racist insults directed at him by Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla de Boccia as he once more gave his answer on the pitch.
Mbappé insisted that it doesn't matter who scores the goals because "we are all fighting for France."
Team spirit
It is not a given that a group of stars which also includes Désiré Doué and Michael Olise play together so well but Mbappé said that "we are playing with passion" and for the whole of France.
"I imagine there’s a lot of excitement and passion in France. Here, we are in our own bubble, and I am even more so. That’s what we’re here for, and the players have a duty to do everything they can to go as far as possible," said Deschamps, who could step down in the best possible way after 14 years if France win the title again.
The Tom Brady of France
Former Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic felt reminded of legendary American football star Tom Brady, who played his New England Patriots home games in the Foxborough stadium where France won, when he heaped praise on assist king Olise.
Ibrahimovic named Olise "the Tom Brady of France" because "when you have players like Olise, don't think, just run, the ball will arrive."
Continue reading...
"The secret to this France team? There’s only one way to relax, and that’s by winning. Until we’ve done that, we don’t let up," Mbappé said.
"We’re in the semi-finals and we’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. We realise that what lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve been through, but we’re ready to face anything."
Mbappé missed a penalty but then scored a superb opening goal and set up Ousmane Dembélé for the other as Les Bleus beat Morocco 2-o to reach the last four where they will face European champions Spain or Belgium on Tuesday.
Duel with Messi
France won the title in 2018 and lost the 2022 final on penalties against Argentina. The two may meet again in the July 19 showcase for another duel between captains Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
Not even a hat-trick from Mbappé was good enough to win back-to-back titles four years ago although he won the Golden Boot as tournament top scorer with eight goals, one more than Messi.
This time they are tied at the top with eight each in a dramatic race that also includes Norway's Erling Haaland (seven), Harry Kane of England (six) and Dembélé (five).
Messi is top of the all-time list with a record 21 goals but Mbappé is right behind on 20.
Unbelievable Mbappé
"Unstoppable," French sports daily L'Equipe said on their website as the team rolled on with a sixth victory and a 16-2 goal difference.
Mbappé has netted half of them as Dembélé said that "Kylian is unbelievable" and coach Didier Deschamps said that "you don't have to worry when you have someone like Kylian in your team."
The 27-year-old shrugged off a brutally physical Paraguay team in the previous match and was also undeterred by racist insults directed at him by Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla de Boccia as he once more gave his answer on the pitch.
Mbappé insisted that it doesn't matter who scores the goals because "we are all fighting for France."
Team spirit
It is not a given that a group of stars which also includes Désiré Doué and Michael Olise play together so well but Mbappé said that "we are playing with passion" and for the whole of France.
"I imagine there’s a lot of excitement and passion in France. Here, we are in our own bubble, and I am even more so. That’s what we’re here for, and the players have a duty to do everything they can to go as far as possible," said Deschamps, who could step down in the best possible way after 14 years if France win the title again.
The Tom Brady of France
Former Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic felt reminded of legendary American football star Tom Brady, who played his New England Patriots home games in the Foxborough stadium where France won, when he heaped praise on assist king Olise.
Ibrahimovic named Olise "the Tom Brady of France" because "when you have players like Olise, don't think, just run, the ball will arrive."
Continue reading...
