Euro 2024: Kylian Mbappé Concedes France’s Campaign was a ‘Failure’

Kylian Mbappé, the star forward of France, has admitted that his team’s performance in the Euro 2024 tournament was a failure. France was eliminated from the competition after losing 2-1 to Spain in the semifinal match at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Mbappé, who plays for Real Madrid, scored only one goal throughout the tournament, which was a penalty against Poland in the group phase. He made five appearances in the tournament but failed to live up to expectations. France had aimed to become European champions, but unfortunately, they fell short of their goal.

Mbappé’s tournament started on a disappointing note when he broke his nose in the opening match against Austria. He missed the next game against the Netherlands but returned to the field wearing a mask against Poland, Belgium, and Portugal. However, he felt uncomfortable with the mask and decided to play without it against Spain.

France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, explained that Mbappé’s mask was causing him discomfort and affecting his vision. Without Mbappé’s usual form, France struggled to score goals. The team’s first goal from open play was scored by Randal Kolo Muani against Spain, which was a significant improvement from the previous two own goals and a penalty.

Apart from Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, another key player, was also criticized for his performance. Griezmann was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain. Deschamps took responsibility for the team’s performance and said that they tried their best with the players they had.

Deschamps also praised Olivier Giroud, who has announced his retirement from international football after the tournament. Giroud, who has played for France since 2011, made his final appearance in the match against Spain. Deschamps thanked Giroud for his dedication and professionalism, saying that he is an example of longevity and leadership.

France has two years to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and Deschamps is expected to lead the team. The coach has two years left on his contract and has taken France to two World Cup finals and a European Championship final in the past.

Key Points:

• Kylian Mbappé conceded that France’s Euro 2024 campaign was a failure.
• Mbappé scored only one goal throughout the tournament.
• France was eliminated from the competition after losing to Spain.
• Mbappé broke his nose in the opening match and wore a mask for a few games.
• Antoine Griezmann was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain.
• Olivier Giroud has announced his retirement from international football.
• France has two years to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Vocabulary:

• Conceded: admitted or accepted
• Eliminated: removed from the competition
• Discomfort: feeling of unease or pain
• Vision: the ability to see
• Longevity: the ability to live or last for a long time
• Professionalism: the quality of being a professional
• Leadership: the ability to lead or guide others

Questions:

1. Why did Kylian Mbappé’s tournament start on a disappointing note?
2. Why did Mbappé wear a mask during some games?
3. Who was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain?
4. Why did Olivier Giroud announce his retirement from international football?
5. What is France’s next major tournament?

Historical Context:

The European Football Championship, commonly referred to as the Euros, is a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of UEFA. The tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1960, and has been won by some of the most successful teams in international football, including Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. The 2024 edition of the tournament marks the 16th edition of the competition, and France’s elimination from the semifinals is a significant setback for the team.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Kylian Mbappé, France’s star forward, has admitted that the team’s performance in Euro 2024 was a failure. • France was eliminated from the competition after losing 2-1 to Spain in the semifinal match. • Mbappé scored only one goal throughout the tournament, a penalty against Poland in the group phase. • Mbappé broke his nose in the opening match against Austria and wore a mask for a few games, which caused discomfort and affected his vision. • Antoine Griezmann was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain. • Olivier Giroud has announced his retirement from international football after the tournament. • France has two years to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. • Coach Didier Deschamps took responsibility for the team’s performance and praised Olivier Giroud for his dedication and professionalism.

Additional Context:

The Euro 2024 tournament has been marked by several upsets and surprises, with some of the top-ranked teams being eliminated early on. France’s elimination from the semifinals is a significant disappointment for the team, which had aimed to become European champions. The tournament has also seen several notable performances, including Spain’s victory over France and Germany’s surprise elimination from the group stage.

Questions:

1. Why did Kylian Mbappé’s tournament start on a disappointing note? Answer: Mbappé broke his nose in the opening match against Austria.
2. Why did Mbappé wear a mask during some games? Answer: Mbappé wore a mask to protect his broken nose, but it caused discomfort and affected his vision.
3. Who was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain? Answer: Antoine Griezmann was dropped from the starting lineup against Spain.
4. Why did Olivier Giroud announce his retirement from international football? Answer: Giroud has announced his retirement from international football after the tournament, citing his desire to focus on his club career.
5. What is France’s next major tournament? Answer: France’s next major tournament is the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in two years.