In a surprising turn of events at the Euro 2024 semifinals, Kylian Mbappé decided to ditch the mask he had been wearing since breaking his nose in France's opening match. However, despite his efforts, Les Bleus suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal stealing the spotlight as the youngest goalscorer in the history of the European Championship.
Yamal's historic goal secured Spain's place in the Euro 2024 final, set to take place on Sunday, just a day after his 17th birthday. In contrast, Mbappé will be heading for a well-deserved holiday before joining his new team, Real Madrid.
Reflecting on the disappointing loss, Mbappé expressed his regret at not achieving his goal of becoming European champion and acknowledged the need for rest before the upcoming season. Despite initial expectations that he would have to wear the mask for an extended period, Mbappé made the bold decision to play without it in the crucial semifinal match.
Throughout Euro 2024, Mbappé and the French team faced challenges, with their goals primarily coming from penalties and own-goals. Despite numerous attempts on goal, Mbappé struggled to find the back of the net, with his missed opportunity in the dying minutes of the match proving costly for France.
Following his decision to remove the mask, Mbappé's performance seemed to improve as he provided an assist for France's early goal. However, a crucial missed chance late in the game highlighted the unpredictable nature of football.
As Mbappé looks ahead to a period of rest and preparation for the upcoming season, the Euro 2024 journey ends for France, leaving fans and players alike reflecting on what could have been.
For more Euro 2024 updates and news, visit AP Euro 2024.
