ᑕ❶ᑐ World Cup 2022: France need ‘superstar’ match winner Kylian Mbappe to retain trophy

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There was only one big story before France’s game against Denmark. Will Olivier Giroud become the top scorer in the history of his country?

The man described as a ‘superstar’ stole the show with both goals as defending champions France won 2-1 to become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup .

“Kylian, what can I say? said France coach Didier Deschamps. “An exceptional player. He has the ability to be decisive, to stand out from the crowd and make a difference.

“The opponents have to rethink their structure and their formation. Kylian is supported by other players who are as dangerous as him, but free to play his game.

« His goal was to play in the World Cup and France needs Kylian. »

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“He has everything, a very special talent”

Brilliant and pure at the box office, Paris St-Germain striker Mbappe has once again proven why he is tipped to be the best player of the game.

His number 10 shirts were everywhere you looked outside and inside Stadium 974, while his name received the most applause when the line-up was read before kick-off.

Lightning fast, skilful and cool personified in front of goal, fans and reporters alike drool every time Mbappe puts the ball at his feet.

He warned Denmark of their pace in the first half when, out of shot, he called behind them to look to latch on to Antoine Griezmann’s through ball.

As he looked to clear himself he was pulled to the ground by Andreas Christensen, who only received a yellow card as two Danish team-mates were in support position. It was doubtful whether either approached Mbappe as he walked away.

He got his reward just after the hour mark, playing a delicious one-two with Theo Hernandez to convert, before tucking in the winner in the 86th minute from Griezmann’s cross.

« What a player, what a superstar, » ex-England striker Alan Shearer explained on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He made the difference tonight.

« When you have this guy in your team, in his form, he looks so comfortable and confident in front of the but, you have a chance. He won the game for them.

« Everything you need to have as a striker, Kylian Mbappe has it all. The timing of his classes, understanding when and how to go. It’s a very special talent.

« Thanks to him, it’s France’s luck [of winning the World Cup again]. If he continues to play and is in this state of mind, France has a chance.

“He looks like a kid in the playground – he just seems to like it. As soon as he gets the ball you can hear the roar and he feeds off of that, there’s no doubt about it. He loves it – and rightly so.  »

Silent But Deadly

Giroud and the great Thierry Henry are tied on 51 international goals, with the AC Milan striker looking to go out on his own against Denmark.

But Giroud may now be looking over his shoulder as Mbappe closes in on the record with every game in a Les Bleus shirt.

The 23-year-old now has 31 goals, seventh on the all-time list alongside arguably the greatest French player of all time in Zinedine Zidane.

Henry has contested four World Cups and scored seven goals, but Mbappe has already equaled that number, one less than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although it is only his second tournament, Mbappe is now France’s second top scorer at a World Cup.

He is behind Just Fontaine, who played just one tournament in 1958 but scored a remarkable 13 goals in six games.

With Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema ruled out of the tournament due to a blessing, Mbappe may have to take more responsibility in the attacking third.

When asked if Mbappe was a team leader despite his young age, Deschamps added: « He’s a leader, yes. There are three types of leaders: physical, technical and mental leaders. Leadership does not have a rhythm.

« Mbappe doesn’t talk much, but he’s like a steam train on the pitch and gets the crowd going and wants to do everything for the team. There are leaders born in the field. »

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