Forward Kylian Mbappe emphasizes the importance of a strong response from France in their upcoming friendly against Chile following their unexpected 2-0 defeat to Germany. Despite being favored for Euro 2024, Didier Deschamps’ team’s humbling loss to the World Cup hosts serves as a wake-up call ahead of the summer tournament on home soil.
Florian Wirtz made history by scoring Germany’s quickest international goal just seven seconds into the match, while Kai Havertz extended their lead early in the second half, securing victory in Lyon on Saturday. Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz capitalized on a precise pass from Toni Kroos, who returned from a three-year international hiatus, stunning the French crowd with his goal past Brice Samba.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had hoped to see his team produce a strong start to the year and they delivered. After a period of inconsistency, they have found their winning touch, and with the return of Toni Kroos to his former club they look well placed to contend for a first European Championship since 2022.
Mbappe was a major factor in that, as the Paris Saint-Germain star has been a standout player for PSG this season and is widely considered one of the world’s best players. But the 19-year-old is still to sign a new contract and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, where he would be guaranteed a lucrative salary.
Mbappe has denied speculation that he will leave PSG, with French President Emmanuel Macron having urged him to stay. Regardless, Los Blancos remain keen and it has been reported that they have been informed that Mbappe will not be signing an extension to his current deal in 2021.
The saga surrounding Mbappe has dragged on over recent years, with speculation that the Frenchman will not stay at PSG long enough to recoup some of the EUR180 million ($195 million) they spent on him as a teenager from AS Monaco in 2017. He has just one more season left on his contract.
France will hope to rebound in their final home friendly before the European Championship against Chile, who were beaten 3-0 by Argentina on Friday. The match also provides a chance to test out caretaker Ricardo Gareca, who took over after Eduardo Berizzo was sacked following a poor start to the qualifying campaign.
