The 27-year-old striker opened the scoring for France at the beginning of the second half, after missing a penalty in the first half. This goal helped Mbappe increase his record to 8 goals at the 2026 World Cup and 20 goals after 3 World Cups participating.
After Mbappe's goal, Ousmane Dembele continued to score a 2-0 victory, sending "Les Bleus" to the semi-finals.
However, the joy of the French team was somewhat affected when Mbappe suddenly fell in the 76th minute even though there was no collision with the opposing player. After being cared for by the medical team, the French captain left the field in the 77th minute to make way for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The image of Mbappe hugging his right ankle and applying ice on the bench made fans worried, especially when the French team only had a few days left to prepare for the semi-finals.
However, after the match, the French striker quickly reassured the fans.
I only had a slight ankle pain and was completely okay. Mateta could have brought more energy in the remaining time of the match, so the coaching staff decided to substitute. There is no serious problem," Mbappe shared.
Coach Didier Deschamps also praised his student, especially after missing a penalty in the first half.
For Mbappe, a penalty missed is not a problem. He never loses confidence, even when missing clear opportunities. The important thing is that Mbappe still knows how to make a difference and score when the team needs it.
We have completed the goal of winning a ticket to the semi-finals. The whole team will focus on recovering and preparing for the next match after identifying the opponent," the French strategist said.
In the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, the French team will face the winner of the match between Spain and Belgium. Mbappe's condition will continue to be monitored in the coming days, but the sharing from the striker himself helps the coaching staff and fans reduce their anxiety before the important upcoming match.
