KYLIAN MBAPPE performed a rousing half-time team talk that helped inspire France’s remarkable fight back against Argentina on Sunday.
Les Bleus went into the break 2-0 down after a meek first half showing in the World Cup final.
They had gone into the match with health concerns after a virus swept through their camp last week.
But they refused to give up, with Mbappe’s personality and force of will enabling him to put the team on his shoulders.
Despite being just 23, the forward has taken on a leadership role in the dressing room.
At half-time, a camera picked up Mbappe giving an off-the-cuff speech to try to inspire one last huge effort from his team-mates.
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Speaking in French in footage that emerged after the match, he said: “We can’t do worse than what we did.
“We go back on the field, either we let them play or we go in.. put some intensity in the duel and do something else guys.
“It’s a World Cup final. It’s done. They scored two goals, we are down two goals.
“We can come back. Guys it’s every four years!”
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During the speech, Raphael Varane looked weary but determined – ready to give his all.
One fan joked on social media: “Varane looking like he’s getting a pat down for round 6 vs Tyson Fury.”
Boss Didier Deschamps had already made a double substitution on 41 minutes, hooking Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud for Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
France still took a while to get into gear, but the introductions of Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga on 71 minutes helped them roar into life.
However, the French comeback was almost entirely down to Mbappe.
He coolly stepped up to convert from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining, after Nicolas Otamendi had clumsily fouled Kolo Muani.
Then he finished a neat move with a stunning finish just a minute later.
He would go on to complete his hat-trick late in extra time AND convert his spot kick in the penalty shoot-out, only to still come out on the losing side.
Since the match, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has repeatedly mocked his beaten opponent.
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The Aston Villa stopper jokingly called for a minute’s silence for Mbappe in the dressing room immediately after the match.
And after arriving in Buenos Aires for the celebrations, he held a doll aloft with Mbappe’s face on it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
