Didier Deschamps has allayed fears that Kylian Mbappe is at risk of missing France's World Cup semi-final after he was substituted late in their comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco.
Mbappe, 27, recovered from missing a first-half penalty to open the scoring and set up Ousmane Dembele for Les Bleus' second goal of the day in sunny Boston. But shortly after breaking the deadlock, the Real Madrid superstar took a blow to his right ankle after a strong challenge from Morocco's Issa Diop before suffering another blow in the 76th minute. Deschamps didn't want to take any chances and immediately subbed him off.
Mbappe's Ankle Injury Assessed
Mbappe then sat on the bench with an ice pack on the ankle in question. But after the forward was seen jumping up and down during the full-time celebrations, it was no surprise to hear Deschamps' post-match comments.
"For Kylian, there's no problem, he felt a little pain in his ankle, but it's normal," the France boss said. "He never doubts himself, even in physical and tough games. He missed the penalty, but he's a guy who gives us so much, delivers so much, with so much volume, and always blesses France with his opportunities."
Mbappe's World Cup Records
Mbappe's goal moved him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot (eight) and was his 20th strike in as many World Cup games, while he also became the first France player to rack up 100 goal involvements, needing just 104 games to do so. His next target is firing the French to victory in their semi-final against either Spain or Belgium, who meet on Friday in Los Angeles.
For Deschamps, who'll leave his role at the end of the tournament, he's led France to three successive semi-finals. Now the 57-year-old is eyeing his second World Cup win as a manager.
France's Semi-Final Prospects
"We reached three consecutive semi-finals, which seems logical and natural," Deschamps added. "But it was a difficult game because we missed some chances after the penalty."
After becoming the first nation to book their spot in the semi-finals, France now know that they'll play two more games before they fly home from the United States - with or without the trophy. The third-placed play-off takes place on Saturday, July 18, one day before the final.
