‘Steam train’ Mbappe leading France’s trophy defence

Before France’s game with Denmark there was only one big story. Would Olivier Giroud become his country’s all-time top goalscorer?

The man described as a “superstar” stole the show with both goals as the French defender won 2-1 to become the first team in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

“Kylian, what can I say?” said France boss Didier Deschamps. “An exceptional player. He has the ability to be decisive, stand up from the crowd and make a difference.

“Opponents need to rethink their structure and formation. Kylian has the support of other players who are as dangerous as him, but they give him free rein to play his game.

“I had the goal of playing in the World Cup and France needs Kylian.”

“He has everything, a very special talent”

Brilliant and pure box office, Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe once again proved why he is the best player in the game.

His number 10 shirts were everywhere outside and inside the 974 Stadium, while his name received the loudest cheers when the line-up was read out before kick-off.

Fast, skilful and cool personified in front of goal, fans and journalists are left drooling every time Mbappé puts the ball at his feet.

He warned Denmark off their pace in the first half when, offside, he suddenly darted in behind looking to latch on to Antoine Griezmann’s pass.

As he looked to break, he was dragged down by Andreas Christensen, who was only shown a yellow card because two fellow Danes were in a supporting position. It was doubtful, however, that anyone had approached Mbappé when it erupted.

He got his reward just after the hour mark, playing a delightful one-two with Theo Hernandez to convert, before bagging the winner on 86 minutes from a Griezmann cross.

“What a player, what a superstar,” former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He made the difference tonight.

“When you have that guy in your team, the way he is, he looks so comfortable and confident in front of goal, you have a chance. He won the game for them.

“Whatever you need as a striker, Kylian Mbappe has it all. The timing of his runs, the understanding of when and how to go. He’s a very special talent.

“Because of him, this is France’s chance [of winning the World Cup again]. If he continues to perform and is in this frame of mind, France have a chance.

“He looks like a kid on the playground, he just looks like he’s enjoying himself. As soon as he gets the ball he hears the roar and feeds off that, there’s no doubt about it. He loves that, and rightly so.”

Silent, but deadly

Giroud and the great Thierry Henry are tied on 51 international goals, with the AC Milan forward looking to go out on his own against Denmark.

But Giroud may now be looking over his shoulder as Mbappé approaches the record with every game in a Les Bleus shirt.

The 23-year-old now has 31 goals, seventh on the all-time list alongside arguably France’s best player in Zinedine Zidane.

Henry played in four World Cups and scored seven goals, but Mbappé has already equaled that figure, which is also one less than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite it being only his second tournament, Mbappe is now France’s second-highest scorer at a World Cup.

He is behind Just Fontaine, who played in just one tournament in 1958 but scored a remarkable 13 goals in six games.

With Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema ruled out of the tournament through injury, Mbappé may have to shoulder more responsibility in the attacking third.

Asked if Mbappe is a team leader despite his young age, Deschamps added: “He is a leader, yes. There are three types of leaders; physical, technical and mental leaders. Leadership does not have a rhythm.

“Mbappé doesn’t talk much, but he’s like a steam train on the pitch and he gets the crowd going and he wants to do everything for the team. There are natural leaders on the pitch.”

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