​What happened to Kylian Mbappe? France superstar subbed off with a foot issue in the 77th minute vs. Morocco
Kylian Mbappe continued his sparkling form on Thursday afternoon, remaining a constant threat as France clung to a slim lead in the race for the Golden Boot, nudging ahead of Lionel Messi with another dazzling performance against Morocco. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar delivered a moment of magic with a superb goal, curling the ball beyond Yassine Bounou to help his side edge the Atlas Lions 2-0. Mbappe also had a chance to double his tally from the penalty spot, but Bounou produced a sprawling save to deny him.
Mbappe’s day ended earlier than usual, as he was withdrawn in the 77th minute after a dazzling display. He received a standing ovation as he left the field, applauding the crowd before heading to the dugout. The French star appeared unfazed as he departed, though he carried an ice pack on his right foot and watched the remainder of the match from the sideline.
Earlier in the quarterfinal, Mbappe had already endured a blow to his right foot, briefly going down after slipping, before management decided to substitute him in favor of Crystal Palace veteran Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mbappe remained with the team, with ice wrapped around his right foot, as France saw out the final stages of the game.
In the aftermath, Mbappe was seen entertaining the supporters with his characteristic showmanship, waving to the stands and applauding the crowd as he retreated to the bench. The post-match imagery showed him resting with his right foot iced, a common precaution given the intensity of the quarterfinal clash.
The victory ensured France advanced with a clean sheet, and Mbappe’s leadership and finishing touch continued to loom large in the tournament picture. The wider narrative around the Golden Boot became even more compelling as Mbappe pressed to maintain the pace against a field of elite attackers still vying for top honors. For fans and analysts alike, the question remains: how will Mbappe’s foot hold up as the competition progresses, and what impact might his knock have on France’s plans moving forward?
Mbappe’s performance on Thursday underscored his influence and consistency, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s premier attackers. The concern surrounding his foot injury will be monitored, but for now, his contribution to France’s 2-0 win over Morocco stands as a testament to his impact on the pitch and his willingness to push through adversity in pursuit of another deep run in the tournament.