Spain played better than us, they deserved to go to the final, we are going home: Mbappe
Munich: France captain Kylian Mbappe expressed deep disappointment following his team's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Spain at Euro 2024, acknowledging that they fell short of their ambitions.
"We didn't do enough to get to the final," Mbappe lamented to reporters. "They (Spain) played better than us, they deserved to go to the final and we are going home."
Mbappe had set up France's early lead with an assist to Randal Kolo Muani in the ninth minute. However, Spain swiftly turned the match around with two quick goals in the first half, leaving Les Bleus unable to recover.
"I had the ambition of becoming European champion. I had the goal of having a good Euros. I did neither. It's a disappointment," Mbappe admitted, reflecting on his personal and team performance.
Throughout the tournament, France struggled to replicate their attacking prowess from previous campaigns, scoring only four goals in total. Mbappe's solitary goal came from a penalty, starkly different from his standout performances in the World Cup, where he netted eight goals to propel France to the final in Qatar.
Despite a late opportunity to equalise against Spain, Mbappe's shot sailed over the bar, encapsulating the frustrating outcome for the French team. "I got past the defender and it went well. Afterwards, I thought I just have to score or at the very least get it on target. It went over the bar. That's the harsh reality of football. 2-1 and we're going home," Mbappe recounted.
Mbappe notably played the semi-final without the protective mask he had worn since breaking his nose in the tournament's opening match against Austria. "I couldn't see well with it. I spoke to the doctor to see if I could play without it. He told me to make the decision like a man. And there you go, I played without it and I don't regret it," Mbappe explained his decision.
As France now prepares to reflect on their Euro 2024 campaign, Mbappe's disappointment underscores the high expectations and competitive drive that define his footballing career. AFP