Football News: Kylian Mbappe Substituted in France’s Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Victory over Portugal
In a thrilling Euro 2024 quarter-final clash, France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe was substituted in extra-time during his side’s 2-1 victory over Portugal. The 24-year-old forward, who has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, revealed that he was simply too tired to continue.
“I gave everything I had, but I just couldn’t go on anymore,” Mbappe said in a post-match interview. “The team needed a fresh pair of legs, and I understood the decision to take me off.”
The Paris Saint-Germain talisman had played a pivotal role in France’s win, setting up the opening goal and causing constant problems for the Portuguese defense.
France’s victory books them a place in the semi-finals of the European Championship, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final matchup between England and Spain. Manager Didier Deschamps praised his team’s resilience and highlighted the importance of managing his players’ fitness during the latter stages of a grueling tournament.
“Kylian is an indispensable part of this team, but we have to be mindful of his workload,” Deschamps said. “He’s given everything for the cause, and we needed to protect him to ensure he’s ready for the next challenge.”
The news will be a relief for France’s faithful, who will be hoping Mbappe can recover in time to lead the team’s charge for a second consecutive European Championship title. As the focus now shifts to the semi-finals, the Les Bleus faithful will be eagerly anticipating their side’s next clash in the quest for Euro 2024 glory.
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