The return of Kylian Mbappé, masked, did not resolve the problems of inefficiency of the France team, and his penalty goal was not enough to beat Poland (1-1) and save first place in the group, Tuesday in Dortmund for Euro-2024.
The Blues have still not scored from play, but the captain, who caused Austria’s own goal (1-0) before breaking his nose in the first match, converted the penalty (56th ) following a foul by Jakub Kiwior on Ousmane Dembélé.
He calmly took Lukasz Skorupski on the wrong foot (56th sp), and immediately took off his mask to celebrate his goal in front of the half blue wall of the Borussia Dortmund stadium.
Blues player Kylian Mbappé during the Euro 2024 Group D match against Poland, in Dortmund, June 25, 2024 / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP
But Robert Lewandowski’s equalizer from the penalty spot spoiled the pleasure of his return to the scoreboard, his 48th goal in 82 caps.
Car « Look » finally unlocked his score in a European Championship in his sixth match, he who is already at 25 the sixth top scorer in the history of the World Cup with 12 goals, like Pelé.
On restraint
At the previous Euro, he even missed the last shot on goal in the series against Switzerland, precipitating the elimination of his team in the round of 16 (3-3, 5 tab to 4).
“I took a slap at the Euro with a failed competition”, he admitted frankly during preparation. It is “the big black spot in my CV in selection”.
The masked striker began to take revenge, but he remained clearly restrained, visibly too embarrassed by his broken nose and his protective mask.
Blues striker Kylian Mbappé (center) during the Euro 2024 Group D match against Poland, in Dortmund, June 25, 2024 / INA FASSBENDER / AFP
In the first period, Mbappé seemed to hesitate to play shots to the fullest, like this action where he is stopped in front of the area (43rd).
One of the rare times he was able to accelerate, Nicola Zalewski stopped him by stretching his jersey to prevent him from going on the counter (24th). The Pole was warned.
When he was finally able to give his first real shot, he and Bradley Barcola got in the way when hitting and the ball went along the goal line (44th).
Mbappé readjusted his mask several times, which intensified the heavy heat weighing on the Ruhr on his face. At the cool-off break (30th), he also exchanged with Antoine Griezmann, who started on the substitutes’ bench.
Face-to-face lost
In an offensive department that was still very sluggish, the 2018 world champion was almost the only one to score shots, but he lost several face-to-face meetings with Skorupski (45th, 49th), as happened to him against the Austria.
Mbappé was not at 100% of his possibilities, but he wanted to play too much.
Deschamps had suggested that his captain was pawing impatiently. “The hematoma has healed well, he has gotten used to the mask, he just wants to play” against Poland “that he wanted it against the Netherlands”said the day before the match Didier Deschamps with a smile.
Blues player Kylian Mbappé during the Euro 2024 Group D match against Poland, in Dortmund, June 25, 2024 / OZAN KOSE / AFP
For eight frustrating days, the coach and his staff accompanied Mbappé, who was gaining momentum on the pitch at SC Paderborn, the Blues’ base camp.
“I had somewhat forgotten that he had a mask, he was good, dangerous, he helped us win training”said N’Golo Kanté.
But he didn’t help win the match against Poland. Mbappé will have to find more ease for the round of 16 against the second of Group E, the tightest, where Romania, Slovakia, Belgium and Ukraine all have three points.
The Blues will need his talent even more for the possible future, now that they have fallen into the most difficult part of the table with Spain, Germany and Portugal…
