France's Kylian Mbappé starts without face mask against Spain - ESPN

13.07.2024 - 03:53 espn.com

France star Kylian Mbappé started his first game at the European Championship without a face mask since breaking his nose in his team's opening win against Austria.

While Mbappé was among the starters for Didier Deschamps in the team's Euro semifinal against Spain on Tuesday, Antoine Griezmann was left on the bench and Randall Kolo Muani started in the front line.

Adrien Rabiot returned from suspension, with Eduardo Camavinga dropping back to the bench in the only other change from the quarterfinal against Portugal, that France won on penalties after the match ended 0-0.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was forced to change his usual formation for the semifinal with a number of players suspended or injured.

ESPN wellness STARS UPS information Didier Deschamps Antoine Griezmann Dani Olmo Nico Williams Toni Kroos Dani Carvajal Eduardo Camavinga Adrien Rabiot Robin Le-Normand Luis De-La-Fuente France Germany Netherlands Spain Portugal Austria Albania

A superb Spain team led by Rodri and Lamine Yamal were fitting winners of Euro 2024 after lighting up an often disappointing tournament in which too many of the continent's star players failed to produce their best form. Kylian Mbappe, the world's best striker, had been hoping to prepare for joining Real Madrid by captaining France to glory but broke his nose and scored just once, from a penalty, as his team lost in the semi-finals. Jude Bellingham, who will play with Mbappe in Madrid next season, might have been the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or had he added the Euros with England to the Champions League with his club.

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