Kylian Mbappe admitted that both he and France fell short at the 2024 European Championships after their campaign was brought to an end in the semi-finals by Spain, Soccernet.football reports.
Despite struggling to meet pre-tournament expectations as favorites in Germany, France managed to reach the last four where De La Fuente’s La Roja proved to be too much to handle in Munich.
Randal Kolo Muani gave Les Blues an early lead with their first non-penalty goal (excluding own goals) of the tournament, however, quick goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo turned the match on its head.
France couldn’t find an equalizer in the second half, resulting in their first major tournament semi-final defeat since Euro 1996, with Mbappe missing a good opportunity to level matters late in the game.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the defeat, Mbappe said;
“They played a better game than us. We conceded two goals quickly and in the second half we had chances to come back but we didn’t take them.
“The competition was a failure. I wanted us to be European champions and we’re not. That’s football.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker suffered a broken nose in France’s group opener against Austria but he refused to blame that injury for his poor form at the Euros.
“We have to move on,” Mbappe said.
“It’s been a long year, I’m going to go on vacation to rest, it’s going to do me a lot of good. We mustn’t complicate football too much.
“You’re good or you’re not good. I wasn’t good and we’re going home, it’s simple. I have to rest. After that, I’m leaving for a new life.”
The 25-year-old played the semi-final without the protective mask he had worn for France’s previous three games, which Didier Deschamps had mentioned was affecting his vision.
Asked about his decision to abandon the mask, he said; “We made the choice before the match.
“I was fed up with the mask. I asked the doctor if I could play without it, and he told me to do what I want.”
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