As France’s Euro 2024 campaign came to an end with a 2-1 defeat against Spain in the semifinals, star player Kylian Mbappé acknowledged that it had been a failure. Despite setting up an early lead for France with an assist to Randal Kolo Muani, Mbappé could not prevent Spain from making a comeback with goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo. With just one goal in the tournament, Mbappé expressed his disappointment, stating that both he and the team had the ambition to be European champions, which ultimately ended in failure.
Mbappé’s journey in Euro 2024 was marred by challenges from the start, as he suffered a broken nose in the opening game against Austria. This forced him to miss a match against the Netherlands and return wearing a mask for subsequent games. The discomfort caused by the mask led Mbappé to eventually play without it, a decision supported by France coach Didier Deschamps. However, despite his efforts, Mbappé’s performance was not at its usual standard, which contributed to France’s struggles in the tournament.
In addition to Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann faced criticism for his performances, leading to being dropped from the starting lineup in the game against Spain. Deschamps, acknowledging his responsibility as the team’s coach, defended his players against the backlash, highlighting the challenges faced against a quality Spanish side. Despite taking the lead, France could not maintain their performance, failing to execute their game plan effectively. Deschamps recognized the efforts of his players but admitted that they did not perform at their full capacity during Euro 2024.
For Deschamps, who has led France to multiple final appearances in major tournaments, the Euro 2024 disappointment was a setback. With two years left on his contract, he is expected to continue guiding Les Bleus into the 2026 World Cup. However, the end of an era was marked by Olivier Giroud, who made what seemed to be his final appearance for France. Giroud, a veteran striker with an illustrious international career, expressed his intention to retire from international football after the Euros. Despite limited playing time in the tournament, Giroud’s contribution and leadership were acknowledged by Deschamps and his teammates.
France’s exit from Euro 2024 signals the end of a chapter for the team, with both successes and disappointments to reflect upon. As Mbappé and the rest of the squad look to regroup and prepare for future challenges, the lessons learned from this campaign will serve as valuable experiences moving forward. Despite the setbacks, the spirit of resilience and determination within the team remains, offering hope for a brighter future in international football.
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