During the thrilling match between France and Morocco in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, a concerning moment arose when Kylian Mbappé collapsed on the field in the 77th minute. By that time, the French team was leading their opponents 2-0, with one of the goals scored by the Real Madrid star himself. His visible signs of distress and urgent call for medical assistance raised alarms about the forward's wellbeing.
In a decisive move by Didier Deschamps, the head coach of France, Mbappé was substituted to prevent any further risk to his health. Displaying remarkable determination, he made his way to the bench unaided, where he watched the remainder of the match alongside his teammates.
Initial Medical Report
Following the final whistle and amidst the celebrations for advancing to the semifinals, Mbappé was seen jubilantly jumping in front of his fans. However, during the mixed zone interviews, he addressed concerns regarding his physical condition. The talented forward revealed that he had experienced minor physical complications. “I’m fine, I received a hit on my ankle but I’m okay,” he stated, explaining that the pain prompted his early exit from the game.
Understanding the importance of teamwork, he acknowledged the contribution of his substitute, JP Mateta: “At that moment, JP was in better shape than I was to play the last 15 minutes, so I left, and he came on. It’s good, he almost scored too.”
France's Journey to the Semifinals
Another noteworthy moment during France's match was Mbappé’s missed penalty. In the first half, he was fouled in the box, leading Argentine referee Facundo Tello to award a penalty kick. However, shortly after the decision, Kylian missed the opportunity to score, with Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making a crucial save. Reflecting on the moment, Mbappé expressed his frustration, stating, “I didn’t take it well, but it was complicated. There was confusion with the referee. He told me it was a penalty, I got ready but then he came back to say it wasn’t…I let it distract me.”
Despite these challenges, France celebrated their qualification for the next round, marking them as the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals. They now eagerly await the outcome of the match between Spain and Belgium, scheduled for July 10 at 2:00 PM Colombian time.
As they prepare for their next opponent, Mbappé conveyed that he and his teammates are not satisfied with their current achievements. Their ultimate goal is to reach the final on July 19 and claim the World Cup title. “There’s only one way to relax, and that’s to win. We’re in the semifinals. We’re very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. What lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve just faced, but we are ready,” he warned their rivals.
As reported by semana.com.
