> Mbappe has now score four times in two WC Finals. Not bad for a 23yo.
Yeah absolutely, he's taking the record for sure. He carried the team on his back. Messi's been doing that for longer though.
He scored a bloody goal in ET!
Other players have a more fighting image, and they run here and there, and scream, and look more connected to the game.
The choice a nice fighting image or almost a goal per game.
France surrendered the midfield from the get-go. That midfield was key to their counter-attacking game in 2018.
This is the narrative, but it’s far from reality. Mbappe was invisible for 80 minutes, his refusal to track back and defend in part the reason France were forced to sub off Giroud and move Mbappe into the centre.
He scored two penalties, admittedly that requires nerves of steel but it’s not particularly impressive given they’ve a high xG, and scored an excellent second goal.
Typically players are judged on their quality throughout the entire game, not a moment of quality in an otherwise drab performance, but this seems to be the modern way - the highlights are more important.
To that end Messi was involved in everything, created the second goal with an excellent through ball into space, scored twice, and set up numerous chances that Martinez was unable to finish. A far more impactful performance.
I’m not sure I see how it counters my argument though - had Martinez let everything past him for the first 80 minutes (not that France actually had a shot during that time, but hypothetically) whilst an excellent Argentine attack kept it level, that save alone wouldn’t cement greatness as the rest of his performance was subpar.
This is essentially the crux of my argument regarding Mbappe, he was far too quiet for far too long and didn’t play for the team often enough to deserve such plaudits.