Mbappe chases glory as France begin campaign

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe and France have been to the last two World Cup finals but are on a mission as they begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria on Monday, having endured disappointment in recent editions of the continental championship.

Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, when a teenage Mbappe announced himself on the global stage, and only lost the 2022 final on penalties after an epic battle with Argentina in Doha. They also won the UEFA Nations League in 2021, but the European Championship is the one title that has evaded the French since Didier Deschamps became coach in 2012. Runners-up as hosts in 2016, when they agonisingly lost the final in extra time to Portugal at a sweltering Stade de France, they have bitter memories of the last Euros three years ago.

Deschamps's side went out of the delayed Euro 2020 in the last 16, squandering a 3-1 lead before losing on penalties to Switzerland. Mbappe missed the decisive kick and he is now hoping to make amends by leading his country to glory in Germany. "Whatever happens, he has left an indelible mark on the French national team. If he wants to make more history we need to do something this summer, because the Euros is the only thing he is missing as a coach," Mbappe said of Deschamps.

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