Kylian Mbappe is back to lead France’s charge at Euro 2024 as their star player and captain, but his fitness status still remains in some doubt.
Les Blues’ superstar suffered a nasty injury in France’s opener against Austria. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory but the main talking point was Mbappe going down injured with a broken nose amidst an aerial clash.
After a disappointing Euro 2020, where France exited early and Mbappe struggled to make an impact with zero goals and only one assist, the star forward is eager to redeem himself in Germany. And with a transfer to Real Madrid confirmed, Mbappe is also showcasing his talents to impress his new club owners.
His injury initially curtailed his involvement, but he is now back, wearing a protective mask, to spearhead his country’s charge — although he is yet to hit top gear ahead of his semifinal meeting with Spain, and there are questions about just how much that issue continues to affect his play.
Here, The Sporting News look at his schedule of matches at Euro 2024, and when you can see the France star in action next at the finals.
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France face Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 9. Mbappe was named in the starting lineup for the game.
The forward is playing despite concerns over his fitness, having had to be substituted during extra time of his side’s quarterfinal match with Portugal, which Les Bleus won on penalties without Mbappe being involved in the shootout.
Mbappe’s broken nose did not require surgery, although he still missed out in the game against the Netherlands, as he was named as a substitute but did not get on the pitch.
On June 23, Le Parisien reported that Mbappe’s progress was trending in the direction of him being named from the start against Poland. He was confirmed in the lineup as the centre-forward of a front three featuring Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, and subsequently scored from the penalty spot.
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France’s first game was against Austria in Dusseldorf on June 17 that saw Mbappe fire a blank and suffer his injury. The big match against the Netherlands followed on June 21 in Leipzig, but was a drab 0-0 draw.
They finished the group stage against Poland on June 25 in Dortmund, before beating Belgium in the Round of 16. In the quarterfinals, they eliminated Portugal on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
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