Speaking to UEFA, French midfielder Fofana said: Even if France faces another penalty shootout, the team doesn’t worry because they have a star like Mbappé, who has scored every penalty in major tournaments, by their side to offer advice.
In the quarter-final, France eliminated Ronaldo’s Portugal through a penalty shootout. Before the shootout, Mbappé gathered his teammates and gave them a pep talk. Looking ahead to the semi-final, Fofana said: “The captain scored two penalties in the World Cup final, and he also scored in the shootout. So when he steps up and gives us advice, we listen to him.”
In the 2022 World Cup final, France drew 3-3 with Argentina after 120 minutes. France, twice behind (in regular time and extra time), was awarded two penalties, both of which Mbappé converted, holding firm under immense pressure. In the shootout, Mbappé also stepped up first and scored, though France ultimately lost (Kingsley Coman and Tchouaméni missed), but Mbappé’s performance from the spot was impeccable.
Fofana said: “I only know one player who can do this (score all three penalties in the World Cup final), and since he can do what most players can’t, we should listen to his advice.”
In fact, Mbappé is not exactly a “penalty-scoring machine.” Statistics show that throughout his career, he has taken 52 penalties for club and country, scoring 42 and missing 10, giving him an 81% conversion rate. For the national team, he has missed penalties before, such as against Kazakhstan in March 2021 and against Greece in June 2023. However, Mbappé has scored every penalty in the European Championships and World Cups, including his goal against Poland in this tournament, proving his exceptional ability to perform under pressure.
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