On Friday, March 24th, 2023 Kylian Mbappe delivered for France again, this time wearing the captain’s armband for the French national club. Mbappe is leading a new era for Les Bleus, there was something very familiar concerning the manner in which Mbappe nailed 2 – goals for France in order to headline France’s 4 to 0 victory against the Netherlands in a qualifying match for the European Championship.
France’s Loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup Final Match
France demonstrated no overwhelming effects from their devastating penalty – kick shootout defeat to Argentina during the 2022 World Cup championship match just 3 – months ago. Mbappe managed to net a hat trick in France’s losing effort that day in the World Cup Final versus Argentina.
France vs. the Netherlands
One of Kylian’s first impactful plays vs. the Dutch last Friday was a nice slip pass inside for Antoine Griezmann (with his hair dyed pink) in order to finish on a goal score for the initial strike inside the first 2 – minutes of the game played at the legendary and historic Stade de France.
The two French stars embraced after the goal, pointing out that there was no lingering feud between the two, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe. The more experienced of the pair in Griezmann was passed over by France for the captain’s armband in favor of Mbappé who took over that role after following Hugo Lloris retired from playing professional football for the French national team.
Dayot Upamecano slotted in the 2nd – goal for France during the 8th – minute of match play last Friday, and the 3rd – French goal was recorded on an amazing opening 20 – minute performance by France as Mbappé scored a beautiful goal for his squad. Kylian ran in back of the Netherlands defensive unit, and he directed a shot inside the near post following Randal Kolo Muani letting a nice pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni roll past him meeting the golden boot of Mbappe.
Mbappé finalized the dominating 4 to nil win for France during the 88th – minute of the match with a solo assisted goal score. He picked up the ball approximately 40 – meters out from the Netherland’s goal and while constructing a series of feints on the outside edge of the area prior to smashing in a low shot beating the Netherland’s goalkeeper, Jasper Cillessen.
That goal for the superstar striker of Paris Saint – Germain pushed Mbappe’s goal count for the French national team to 38 – international goals, placing him in front of Karim Benzema and landing into fifth place on France’s all – time goal list. While Benzema’s time might be up for the French national team, the now 24 – year – old Mbappé is now the leader of the new wave of international famous superstar footballers following in the footsteps of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking of starts, this was an extremely devastating way for Netherlands head coach, Ronald Koeman, to start his 2nd– stint in charge of the Dutch national club. Playing without the Netherlands most influential midfielder in Frenkie de Jong due to injury as well as 5 – other players during the past week due to a circulating flu virus, the Netherlands were dominated by Kylian Mbappe and France throughout this one – sided Group B match as qualifying for 2024 European Championship continued on.
Their misery could be summed up when the Netherland’s Memphis Depay had a penalty – kick saved by France’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, on basically the last kick of the game.
Media Statements
“It was a complete performance,” explained by Kolo Muani, who started up front for France as opposed to Olivier Giroud. “We made a very good start, that’s what we’d wanted to do, and afterward we were able to control the match.”
Kylian Mbappe’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Monaco
Ligue 1: 2016 – 2017
Coupe de la Ligue Runner – Up: 2016 – 2017
Paris Saint – Germain
Ligue 1: 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
Coupe de France: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021; Runner – Up: 2018 – 2019
Coupe de la Ligue: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020
Trophée des Champions: 2019, 2020
UEFA Champions League Runner – Up: 2019 – 2020
France U – 19
UEFA European Under – 19 Championship: 2016
France
FIFA World Cup: 2018, Runner – Up: 2022
UEFA Nations League: 2020 – 2021
Individual
UEFA European Under – 19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2017, March 2018, August 2018, February 2019, February 2021, August 2021, February 2022, November / December 2022
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2016 – 2017, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018, 2019
Golden Boy: 2017
FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2022
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2022
FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2018
FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
Kopa Trophy: 2018
IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2018, 2021, 2022
IFFHS World’s Best Top Goal Scorer: 2022
French Player of the Year: 2018, 2019
UEFA Team of the Year: 2018
Ligue 1 Top Goal Scorer: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
Ligue 1 Top assist provider: 2021 – 2022
Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2021
Onze de Bronze: 2019
UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot: 2021
Orders
Knight of the Legion of Honor: 2018
Lionel Messi’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Barcelona
La Liga (10): 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
Copa del Rey (7): 2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2020 – 2021
Supercopa de España (8): 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
UEFA Champions League: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2010 – 2011, 2014 – 2015
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Paris Saint – Germain
Ligue 1: 2021 – 2022
Trophée des Champions: 2022
Argentina U – 20
FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005
Argentina U – 23
Argentina
FIFA World Cup: 2022
Copa América: 2021
CONMEBOL – UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022
Individual
Ballon d’Or / FIFA Ballon d’Or (7): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2019
European Golden Shoe (6): 2009 – 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021
Copa América Top Goalscorer: 2021
La Liga Best Player (6): 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015
Pichichi Trophy (8): 2009 − 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 − 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 − 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020
Argentine Footballer of the Year (14): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Sources:
Douglas, Steve. “Mbappé delivers for France as captain; Lukaku nets hat trick”. The Associated Press. Friday, March 24, 2023.
Football Reference News Services. “Kylian Mbappe”. Football Reference. Friday, March 24, 2023.
