Taking a penalty in a shootout is meant to be easy.
It looks like you could do it with your eyes closed, but even superstars can miss – just ask Kylian Mbappe.
The world’s best young player and heir to the throne of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo turned away in agony after missing the fifth spot kick for France in their Euro 2020 Round of 16 defeat, his shot comfortably saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
This was a star-studded French team that bookies and fans alike had picked to hoist the trophy, but they crashed out in diabolical circumstances in a tournament during which star man Mbappe had just as many issues off the pitch as he did on it.
Mbappe came out and apologised on social media later that evening after the miss, having done so earlier in private to his teammates.
It was a rare showing of humility for a player that teammates and fans have accused of being arrogant and obnoxious, especially with his constant showboating in matches played for Paris Saint-Germain.
(Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Mbappe was meant to be the face of this tournament. He was just a teenager when he stole the show in the 2018 World Cup final with two goals, but at the Euros Mbappe had no goals and a single assist in four games, with France winning just once in their short stay.
From a stats point of view it was an abysmal tournament for Mbappe; however, upon closer examination he was involved in a lot of good moments for the french.
Mbappe was full of running against Germany, passed on the best chance of the match against Hungary and won a penalty against Portugal all in the group stage.
The Round of 16 match against Switzerland saw Mbappe lay on an assist as well as a sublime back heel in a move that led to a later goal in extra time, though he had a chance to score and skewed a shot with his weaker left foot when he could’ve gone on his right.
After the disappointing loss tensions flared in the box of the French family members when Veronique Rabiot, who is the mother of french player Adrien Rabiot, angrily told Mbappe’s father, Wilfried, to speak with his son because he was too arrogant, selfish and not a team player.
One of the tournament’s biggest flare-ups, though, involved Mbappe and teammate Olivier Giroud. Giroud had made an off-the-cuff comment to reporters – “Sometimes you make the runs and ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is” – which Mbappe took as a personal insult.
So incensed by Giroud’s comments was Mbappe that he wanted to attend a press conference to defend and clear his name, even though Giroud never mentioned or alluded to him in any way, shape or form.
Another factor in Mbappe’s petulance this tournament was losing his best friend Ousmane Dembele to the tournament through a serious injury that left him isolated in the dressing room by all reports.
Mbappe seemed like he had a lot on his mind this tournament, quite possibly his contract situation with club side PSG is clouding his thoughts.
His lucrative deal is due to expire at the end of next season, and Mbappe has been hesitating in signing an extension.
But with COVID affecting the elite European club’s spending, he may have no option but to wait to break the world transfer record and agree to an extension for the time being.
Right now Mbappe is public enemy No. 1 in France after his various meltdowns at the Euros. But the Prince of Paris is young enough to recover from this setback, and the dent to his ego might help him grow not only as a player but as a person.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
hes still maturing as a player, next step is to a bigger league than france. i think he will run a much in spain if he goes there
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
there's no doubt pogba on his day is a world class player. the reason why he doesn't perform in the premier league is the end to end style in england. Put him in a much slower paced league (eg serie a where he dominated as he had 2 players next to him do all the running) and he will dominate. Its also weird because a midfielder with his height and body type should be able to handle himself in england, i think its best for parties to cut there losses and move on
chris
Guest
Punter no doubt Mbappe is incredibly good. His pace alone just makes him so difficult to mark. I'm still not convinced though that he has the all round game to be considered the best/one of the greatest. Time will tell : )
chris
Guest
I meant arrogant and dismissive on the pitch. Man u fans tear their hair out at his seemingly uninterested approach to club games. He makes everything look easy but that also includes losing the ball in midfield and causing his team to concede a vital goal.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
It was a brilliant goal but its not the game, and that's why the French aren't playing anymore, as I said when you’re up 3-1 in a final, with 10 mins to go you don’t start carrying on like your’e in a night club in Marseille, you've got to finish the job before the over the top celebrations. Arrogance and unprofessional.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Good point. Back then you could have flaws and they weren’t exposed.
danwain
Roar Rookie
Italy are looking strong, and for once in a few decades they are quite nice to watch, super direct. Anyone but England please
danwain
Roar Rookie
Gee, he just scored one of the prettiest goals you’ll likely see, he is entitled to celebrate that however he sees fit. He clearly clocked off after that, but you can’t deny the guy a celebration.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
England should make the final, but I can't see them getting past Italy/Belgium
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i thin the overall favourite has to be england, they are on the ‘easy’ side of the draw and arent carrying as many injuries like other countries. ukraine will give them a good game though , i doubt thats going to be the blow out like everyone is predicting
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Italy and Belgium have to be the two favourites at this point. Such a shame that one of them won't even make the semi finals.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i see breaking news today that mbappe and griezmanm also had a tense relationship this tournament, yet again the common denominator for issues in frances camp is mbappe. frances forwards are all very similar, so having a centrepiece like giroud/benzema gives them a different focal point in attack. benzema starts every day of the week for me if im the coach of france, this tournament showed what france is capable of with him down the middle and what they have missed since he was excluded for his role in that infamous rauchy tape saga my tip? i picked italy as the dark horse prior to the tournament beginning, there is quiet confidence that seems to have grown in each match for them (even though that austria game was quite tight) i think they will get past an injury hit belgium team in a very cagey match if they can contain lukaku
Tony Harper
Editor
Great read, Andy. Although Benzema had a decent tournament, I feel his late inclusion may have unsettled France, and potentially Mbappe most of all, altering their playing style too late in the piece. The French are always one thing or another at big tournaments, and harmony is a massive factor for them. The Giroud comments and Mbappe's reaction was a big red flag at the time. Who is your tip to win the tournament now?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
we may need to call in an adjudicator for the ‘miss’ debate haha exclude the penalty, the crux of it all is mbappes petulance this tournament when he was was expected to carry france to glory lol
mushi
Roar Guru
Only if you view the world in a binary way, which then defeats the entire purpose of writing an article giving context... lol They also record shots on target right? Versus just shots on goal? implying there is differences to the "miss".
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
a miss is a miss, we can get as technical as you like over it. lol hitting the crossbar, upright, saved by the keeper, completely missing everything - theyre all missess at the end of the day lol
Punter
Roar Rookie
The thing about Pele (great player as he was) was that he was not in the European limelight like many other players, especially Messi & Ronaldo now. The legacy was never under scrutiny, pass on by word of mouth & the little footage that came out of Brazil. However, he didn't seemed flawed, unlike his counterpart & many thinks to be the best dribbler in the game Garrincha, who was really a flawed genesis. Interesting to see where Mbappe ends up.
mushi
Roar Guru
"He comes across as arrogant and dismissive." So he's French? They've got different cultural norms to other European nations that have always appeared arrogant and dismissive to us.
mushi
Roar Guru
What a young Parisian resident at the height of his industry is arrogant, flamboyant and disrespectful to his lesser known opposition. Well I never! That only happens what, every 2.5 seconds in real life. The French attitude/stereotype is also what makes the team a joy to watch when in full flight. It's a double edged sword that they have to live by. Also I didn't think he missed, the keeper saved it right? It wasn't Baggio.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Love the article AA. I think Mbappe will bounce back bigger then ever. I'm a big Ronaldo fan (and Messi). All this criticism of him, calling him Penaldo etc. Shows how great both these guys are that week in week out, tournament after tournament, these guys perform, the expectation is so strong, but they keep performing. Mbappe has the skills to inherit their crown, but he has to do it all the time to reach the high levels.