the images of Kylian Mbappé with his mask for his return to the Euro 2024 pitches

FOOTBALL – A more than expected return. Under heat approaching 30°C in the den of football that is Signal Iduna Park, French supporters were able to enjoy the return to the game of the French captain with his famous mask on his face for this France-Poland of the Euro 2024.

Kylian Mbappé, injured in the nose during the inaugural match against Austria, appeared masked on the pitch this Tuesday, June 25. A detail which did not escape the French supporters present in the Dortmund stadium or watching the match broadcast on TF1.

During the anthems, the Blues star did not wear a mask on his face. We had to wait until kick-off to finally see him wear this neutral mask without any distinctive sign. Which he had already done during pre-match training, not without a certain undisguised embarrassment.

For their part, the French supporters did not fail to pay tribute to their star, wearing various masks to encourage and support the French striker on his return. Against the Netherlands, his absence at the forefront had illustrated the lack of offensive realism of the French, who had still not scored a single goal in this competition before this match. Except for an own goal.

In this last match of group D, which could also allow the Blues to end this group phase with a first place saving for the rest of the competition, all eyes were therefore logically turned towards the French striker. It must be said that the saga of Kylian Mbappé’s mask will have occupied a good part of the French’s preparation during this group phase.

A goal but no smile

Another novelty during this France-Poland. French supporters could finally see the French team playing with its traditional blue tunic. Which was not the case since the start of Euro 2024 in Germany.

A change of jersey which did not bring luck to Mbappé and his teammates, held to a 1-1 draw by Poland, despite a penalty goal from the French striker. After the first goal of his career in a Euro, Kylian Mbappé took the opportunity to celebrate by removing his famous mask.

Already qualified for the round of 16 of the competition, France must settle for second place in Group D, behind the surprise Austrian. A detail which might not be one for the rest of the competition. With this place, France moves into the toughest part of the table of Euro 2024, with teams like Spain, Germany or Portugal. One last team that the Blues could face in the quarter-finals, in the event of a victory next Monday against the second in Group E, namely Romania, Slovakia, Belgium or Ukraine.

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