All posts tagged: Kylian

What does Lionel Messi need to do in FIFA World Cup final vs Spain to beat Kylian Mbappe and win Golden Boot?

What does Lionel Messi need to do in FIFA World Cup final vs Spain to beat Kylian Mbappe and win Golden Boot?

Published by Parlour News

And there were just two. The fight for the Golden Boot is firmly between Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, and the latter has everything to do in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain on Sunday at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. The French captain raced ahead of the Argentine superstar on Saturday owing to a brace in the third-place playoff match against England. The 39-year-old Messi has now fallen behind in the race, and he faces an uphill task in the summit clash if he is to snatch the top prize away from Mbappe. Lionel Messi needs a hat-trick on Sunday to win the Golden Boot. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Mbappe strengthened his claim for the top-scorer prize after scoring two goals in France’s dramatic 4-6 defeat to England in Saturday’s third-place playoff. Although Les Bleus missed out on the bronze medal, the French forward achieved a major personal milestone by surpassing Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record. His two-goal display lifted his overall World Cup tally to 21 goals, one more than the …

Spain’s defensive brilliance sends Kylian Mbappe’s France packing with 2-0 win to reach FIFA World Cup final

Spain’s defensive brilliance sends Kylian Mbappe’s France packing with 2-0 win to reach FIFA World Cup final

Published by Parlour News

Spain became the first team to reach the FIFA World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in a composed and controlled semi-final performance. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled the advantage in the second half, putting Spain firmly in charge. France’s star-studded attack, featuring Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, found little space against a disciplined Spanish defence that rarely put a foot wrong. Spain controlled possession for long periods, moved the ball with precision and consistently denied France any sustained momentum. Spain beat France 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup final. (Getty Images via AFP) Comfortable both in and out of possession, Luis de la Fuente’s side looked the stronger team throughout and now stand just one win away from lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy. Unai Simon delivered one of the finest performances of his career, producing a string of crucial saves to preserve Spain’s clean sheet in the FIFA World Cup semi-final. The goalkeeper was alert throughout, repeatedly coming off …

Kylian Mbappe misses from penalty spot vs Morocco

Kylian Mbappe misses from penalty spot vs Morocco

Published by Webster

2 min readUpdated: Jul 10, 2026 02:38 AM IST Kylian Mbappe scuffed a chance to pip Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race after he missed a penalty against Morocco in the first quarterfinal on Thursday. In the 28th minute, France was awarded a penalty which Mbappe stepped in to take. His shot, however, was relatively tame as Morocco goalie Yassine Bounou guessed the right way and pulled off a save to keep it 0-0. The goalkeeper was kept busy throughout the half as he saved a powerful low drive from Mbappe and as well as shots from Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Digne as both sides went into half time with the score at 0-0. If Mbappe had scored from the spot, he would have gone over Argentina legend Messi who has 8 goals, who incidentally has also missed two penalties in this World Cup. Mbappe would also be on 8 strikes but would have topped the charts because of his 2 assists as opposed to Messi’s 1 France beat Morocco in the semifinals at …

Is Kylian Mbappé a dictator in France team? Deschamps speaks on criticism of captain’s leadership

Is Kylian Mbappé a dictator in France team? Deschamps speaks on criticism of captain’s leadership

Published by Webster

3 min readJul 5, 2026 02:55 PM IST France head coach Didier Deschamps has rallied behind Kylian Mbappé after the captain faced scrutiny over his leadership style, saying the forward’s portrayal in the public eye is far from the reality inside the dressing room. Deschamps addressed the criticism after France’s quarterfinal qualification, brushing aside claims that Mbappé had been transformed by the captain’s armband. “No, he hasn’t changed. You guys make Kylian Mbappé seem like a dictator… the reality is the opposite,” Deschamps told reporters after the match. Deschamps addressed the growing chatter around Mbappé’s public persona, which has become a subject of social media memes portraying the 27-year-old as different historical figures. The perception traces back to his PSG days, where he was often viewed as having an outsized say in club affairs – from hiring and firing managers to shaping the squad and influencing team dynamics. “His public image does not reflect reality at all. Kylian has always been mature and the whole team follows him. I am so happy to have Kylian …

‘I asked the two biggest lads to go & stand around Kylian’

‘I asked the two biggest lads to go & stand around Kylian’

Published by Webster

3 min readPhiladelphiaJul 5, 2026 07:30 AM IST France manager Didier Deschamps said he feared his star forward Kylian Mbappe would get injured in the acrimonious game against Paraguay. The Paraguayan men were tackling him so crudely that he stumbled numerous times. So he asked two of the biggest teammates to guard him. “I asked the two biggest lads to go and stand around Kylian at the end because they were going to chop him down,” Deschamps said. So the burly defender Dayot Upamecano was pushed upfront in the dying minutes so that he could bear the hacks aimed at Mbappe. He performed his mission commendably, even without copping a yellow card. At the other side, midfielder Adrien Rabiot, never to shirk away from a challenge, would fiercely guard Mbappe, who was dragged off his feet multiple times. France kept their composure. But it was difficult, he said. “It wasn’t easy. They used every resource possible. It is maybe not the kind of football that brings people to the stadium, playing with that aggression, exaggerating …

Who is Kylian Mbappe’s girlfriend and is she attending the World Cup?

Who is Kylian Mbappe’s girlfriend and is she attending the World Cup?

Published by Parlour News

Kylian Mbappe has been one of the standout stars of this World Cup, scoring six goals and trailing Lionel Messi by just one in the race for the Golden Boot. Kylian Mbappe is dating Spanish actress Ester Exposito. (Instagram) With the French forward enjoying another sensational tournament, it’s natural for fans to be curious about his life away from football, particularly whether there is someone special cheering him on from the sidelines. Who is Kylian Mbappe’s girlfriend? While Mbappe has kept his private life largely out of the spotlight, he has been linked in recent months to Spanish actress Ester Exposito. Although neither has publicly confirmed that they are dating, the two have been spotted together on multiple occasions, fueling speculation about a possible romance. Is Exter Exposito attending the World Cup? Their rumored relationship has drawn renewed interest as Mbappe continues his impressive World Cup campaign. However, Exposito has not been publicly seen at any World Cup matches or tournament-related events so far. The Spanish actress’ most recent Instagram post, shared a couple of …

Why Kylian Mbappe’s France play like a bunch of street footballers

Why Kylian Mbappe’s France play like a bunch of street footballers

Published by Webster

Three Swedish defenders stood almost shoulder to shoulder, forming a yellow wall between Kylian Mbappe and the goal. There was nowhere obvious to go. So, instead of forcing the issue, Mbappe simply stopped. He rolled the ball backwards, inviting the nearest defender to take a step forward. That was the cue he had been waiting for. In an instant, he was moving again. His hips swayed one way, the ball darted another, and a crowded penalty area suddenly opened up. By the time the other Swedish defender realised what had happened, Mbappe was already wheeling away in celebration. The goal was a result of breathtaking speed, but even more breathtaking audacity. Most footballers, confronted by three defenders, search for the safer pass. Mbappe saw them as an audience – and put on a show. Watching France at this World Cup, that feeling keeps returning. Didier Deschamps’ side does not resemble a meticulously-drilled international team so much as a bunch of street footballers who happen to be wearing blue shirts. Every attack carries an extra feint, …

FIFA World Cup: Kylian Mbappe, France make it Didier Deschamps’ night | Football News

FIFA World Cup: Kylian Mbappe, France make it Didier Deschamps’ night | Football News

Published by Webster

A blue cloth with flowers embroidered on its side greeted France manager Didier Deschamps, returning from his mother’s death, into the Metlife Arena. The message was simple but touching: “Didier, we are with you.” The emcee stopped the hip-hop song blasting from the loudspeakers. The players performed their warm-up drills without the usual frolics, but with an unusual sombreness. After the national anthem was rendered, the French fans chorused: “C’est vous, Didi!” You are the man. The understated French manager would be the man of the evening, although Kylian Mbappe nailed two goals of artful precision, Bradley Barcola exhibited his velvet feet with a goal cut from silk, and his flying Les Bleu eviscerated Sweden’s iron-willed defence (3-0). The signs are sinister and fatalistic for teams destined to stumble into them, shepherded by a manager that walks without aura or vanity. The arena was so emotionally charged that Deschamps eventually broke down. He shed a tear when he staggered to the tunnel. The face of calm creaked, touched by a moment that showed how much …

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning claim: ‘I’m the 4th-choice striker at Real Madrid now’ | Football News

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning claim: ‘I’m the 4th-choice striker at Real Madrid now’ | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readUpdated: May 15, 2026 09:39 AM IST Kylian Mbappe endured another rough night for Real Madrid after he was booed while making a substitute appearance in the 2-0 victory over Oviedo on Thursday. The Frenchman then made the stunning claim that Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa told him that he is the team’s fourth-choice striker, a claim that was instantly rubbished by the Spaniard. Mbappe is still not fully recovered from a left hamstring injury but claimed after the win over Oviedo that he was ready to play from the start. “I’m 100% fine. I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth striker in the squad behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini (Vinícius Júnior) and Gonzalo (García). I accept it,” Mbappe said. “I was ready to start, it was his decision. You can’t be angry with the coach, you always have to respect the opinion of the coach. I’ll keep working hard and wait to be the starter.” Arbeloa dismissed Mbappe’s claims. “I don’t have four strikers, and I haven’t told anything like …

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Cricket News

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Cricket News

Published by Webster

2 min readApr 27, 2026 08:16 PM IST France captain and talisman Kylian Mbappe’s chances of playing at the FIFA World Cup is under a bit of a cloud of doubt with the Real Madrid striker suffering a hamstring injury. While the Spanish giants said that they are “awaiting progress”, local media reports indicate that Mbappe could be out for the rest of the season. “Following the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappé by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting progress,” said Real Madrid in a statement on Monday. Initial tests had suggested that it may not have been a major problem but further examination reportedly confirmed the extent of the injury, The 27-year-old had suffered the injury during Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis on Friday. It has been further reported in Spanish media that while his availability for Real for the remainder of the season is in doubt, Mbappe is expected to be fully fit …