Kylian Mbappe scores twice in behind-closed-doors friendly as France take on German second tier side in middle of Euros
KYLIAN MBAPPE scored twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly as he continues his recovery from his nose break.
The forward broke his nose during France’s narrow win over Austria at Euro 2024 on Monday.
The injury has left Mbappe, 25, needing to wear a mask while training.
He also missed France’s 0-0 draw against the Netherlands on Friday at the Leipzig Stadium.
However, Mbappe is closing in on his return to the pitch and impressed in a friendly match.
France played in a practice match against German club Paderborn’s under-21s.
The game was made up of two 30-minute halves of which Mbappe played the full match.
While wearing his mask, the Real Madrid man bagged two goals as he picked up his form, and also provided two assists.
France return to action in Euro 2024 to face Poland in their final Group D match on Tuesday.
Poland have already been knocked out of the tournament following their 3-1 defeat to Austria.
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France have so far struggled to show their enormous quality in terms of performances.
In their first match, Les Bleus could only manage a 1-0 win thanks to Maximilian Wober own goal.
How Kylian Mbappe’s incredible seven-year body transformation propelled skinny teen into world’s best player
By Etienne Fermie
KYLIAN MBAPPE has entered his physical prime as he has FINALLY rubber-stamped his free transfer move to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old has grown from a boy to a man in Ligue 1, first with Monaco and then with current side Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe debuted for Monaco as a skinny 16-year-old in 2015.
He even featured as a scrawny youngster against Tottenham at the old White Hart Lane that year, before fans realised what an icon he would become.
The following season, Mbappe really rose to superstardom as Monaco reached the Champions League semi-finals.
In a throwback snap shared earlier this week, an 18-year-old Mbappe could be seen chatting to a reporter after grabbing a Champions League brace against Borussia Dortmund in April 2017.
And against the Netherlands the team was toothless upfront and lucky to escape defeat after Xavi Simons‘ goal was ruled out by VAR.
Boss Didier Deschamps claimed that he was not worried about the absence of Mbappe.
He said: “I am not concerned.
“It is just the name of the game. Sometimes you have countless chances and don’t hit the back of the net and sometimes it is the other way round.
“I would be worried if there were not any chances.
“Efficiency at high-level football is important and it is something we can work on.”