KYLIAN MBAPPE was labelled “classless” for taunting Jan Vertonghen over his own-goal woe – after the duo clashed earlier in France’s 1-0 win over Belgium.
Masked marauder Mbappe celebrated his coutry’s Euro 2024 last-16 victory over Belgium by racing over to have the final word with the ex-Spurs defender.
Trouble between the two had first flared midway through the second half of a tie that rarely lived up to high expectations.
Mbappe tumbled in the box under a challenge from Vertonghen and appeared furious with the 37-year-old’s response.
The Anderlecht centre-back had sneaked out a leg from behind and got the ball just before the Real Madrid new boy tried to turn.
Mbappe went crashing down but Vertonghen seemed to reckon the ex-PSG striker’s fall was a little late, a little too theatrical.
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In turn, the hitman was unhappy with whatever words were swapped and continued to verbally snap at his rival as they walked away.
Referee Glenn Nyberg intervened to cool the situation.
But for Vertonghen things only got worse in a scrappy contest.
And if he was in the right place for his tackle on Mbappe, he was in the wrong position later for the defining moment of the match.
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It was Vertonghen who deflected a late French winner into his own goal, following a fierce shot from Randal Kolo Muani.
He stuck out a knee as Kolo Muani fudged a left-footed attempt – and the resulting ricochet wrong-footed Belgian No1 Koen Casteels for the only goal.
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But fans on social media demanded to know if Uefa will “investigate” Mbappe for then appearing to mock Vertonghen.
The 25-year-old chose to run over to the ex-Prem ace first before joining his team-mates rejoicing behind the goal.
One viewer posted: “That’s embarrassing. Unprofessional, especially from the captain.”
Other online verdicts included “No need” and “stay classy”.
The icon’s action was also compared to controversial behaviour from fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham earlier in the tournament.
Ronaldo, 39, pumped his fist towards Czech Republic stopper Jindrich Stanek and shouted in the ear of midfielder Petr Sevcik as Portugal completed a 2-1 comeback win in their group opener.
And Uefa are investigating Bellingham for appearing to make a crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakian bench after his wonder goal sparked England’s dramatic 2-1 triumph in the last 16 on Sunday.
Deschamps says Kylian vision affected by mask
KYLIAN MBAPPE is struggling to see under his mask as France’s goal scoring struggles continue, writes JACK ROSSER.
It took another own goal for Les Bleus to get past Belgium into the quarter-finals, the second one they have scored from in Germany.
Didier Deschamps side are yet to score from open play all tournament and Mbappe was on the fringes as he returned to the stadium where he broke his nose on the opening day.
Asked how the mask is impacting his star man, Deschamps said: “He is getting used to it, what is important is that he is able to consolidate wearing a mask.
“He is getting more used to it, you’ve got the sweat aspect and we know it can get into his eyes.
“He is getting used to it, it is his vision. I haven’t tried it on but from what he said he feels like he is seeing images in 3D.
“Even if it is tenths of milliseconds the vision is off.Everything in front of him is fine, but there’s a delay with his peripheral vision. But he’ll have to get used to it over the coming weeks or months.”
France had 19 shots against Belgium but just two found the target and it took a deflection off of Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen for them to sneak into the last eight.
The France boss said he will always take an own goal sending his side through but knows there must be an improvement.
There is confidence things will change considering chances are still being created, but Deschamps was frustrated with the number of punts from range.
He added: “If it is deflected, even if it is an own goal someone had to shoot. If it finishes in the back of the net so be it.
“The best teams are here, even when there are differences on paper on the pitch there is high intensity.
“Even if today the goal is enough we’ve always got the capacity and capability to score more.
“The number of shots we had, some of them were punts, that is the only thing we want to work on.”
It was another case of huge talent falling short for Belgium. Eden Hazard may be gone but Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are still here and offered too little.
Manchester City star De Bruyne, 33, has refused to rule out retiring from international football after the latest disappointment.
He said: “It’s too early to answer. Let me process this loss.
“It’s a been a very long season, I need to rest my body. I will make my decision after the summer.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
