Kylian Mbappe sat on the bench in Boston with an ice pack strapped to his right ankle, having been forced off late in France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. The Real Madrid superstar had already scored once, set up another, and missed a first-half penalty. Then came the challenge from Morocco’s Issa Diop, a blow to the ankle, and another in the 76th minute. Didier Deschamps did not want to take any chances, substituting his captain immediately.
But the fear that Mbappe could miss a World Cup semi-final was swiftly extinguished. The 27-year-old was seen jumping up and down during the full-time celebrations, and Deschamps’s post-match comments were emphatic. “For Kylian, there’s no problem, he felt a little pain in his ankle, but it’s normal,” the France manager said. “He never doubts himself, even in physical and tough games. He missed the penalty, but he’s a guy who gives us so much, delivers so much, with so much volume, and always blesses France with his opportunities.”
“Mbappe ankle injury not serious, Deschamps says; France face Spain or Belgium in semi-final.”
Mbappe’s goal in sunny Boston was his eighth of the tournament, moving him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. It was also his 20th strike in 20 World Cup appearances, making him the first France player to reach 100 goal involvements in just 104 games. He had earlier teed up Ousmane Dembele for France’s second goal.
Deschamps, who will leave his role at the end of the tournament, has now led France to three consecutive semi-finals. “We reached three consecutive semi-finals, which seems logical and natural,” he added. “But it was a difficult game because we missed some chances after the penalty.”
France now await the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Spain and Belgium in Los Angeles. With Mbappe fit and firing, Deschamps is eyeing his second World Cup triumph as a manager. The third-placed play-off is on July 18, one day before the final.