This summer’s World Cup has been one of the most fascinating on the pitch in recent memory. Not because of the teams. Because of two men.
We can all admit that elite European football has become very tactical in recent years. Systems rule over individual moments. Rigidity trumps creative freedom, with stunning strikes replaced by methodically built tap-ins.
That’s not to say that it’s wrong or not entertaining. But the narrative being built between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and the battle of their brilliance is what is making this World Cup must-watch. And deservedly so.
Eight goals apiece for the two top scorers in World Cup history is special in itself. Yet it’s the way they are going back and forth like boxers trading shots that adds a whole other layer to this.
June 16. Mbappe scores twice in France’s opener against Senegal. June 17. Messi hits back with a hat-trick against Jordan. June 22, Messi goes first and scores a double, but hours later Mbappe hits two of his own. And so on and so forth until here we are.
These aren’t just jabs being landed. They are haymakers in the form of goals and moments of magic, but not enough to leave the other in the dust.
What made Mbappe’s latest response against Morocco even more remarkable was how eerily similar it was to Messi’s last display. A missed first-half penalty as the goalkeeper dived low to his left, before finding a goal in the second that proved crucial in progression.
Mbappe bounced back from a penalty miss to open the scoring for France
A case of: “Anything you can do, I can do better.” It’s a ping pong battle that could have the most dramatic ending on the grandest stage.
We saw it four years ago. Mbappe scored a hat-trick, but Messi lifted the trophy. It wasn’t about Argentina or France then. In truth, it would be even less about them now.
This will be Messi’s last World Cup. He is Mr World Cup. Regardless of if he retains the crown, that mantle he holds will be passed on to Mbappe. The Frenchman would just rather take it from him by coming out on top at the end of the tournament. Both collectively, and personally.
Charlton vs Beckenbauer in 1966. Ronaldo vs Zidane in 1998. Proof that other great individual battles have existed at World Cup’s. But none like this. None as neck and neck as what we are witnessing here.
The question is, who lands the knockout blow?
Keane: Mbappe in charge of every situation
Among the fans of Mbappe across this summer’s tournament is Sky Sports’ Roy Keane. The Irishman waxed lyrical about the Real Madrid star following the win over Morocco, claiming that he is ‘in charge of every situation’ he finds himself in on the pitch.
“The great players dictate what they’re going to do,” Keane said on ITV Sport.
“I can be critical of the defenders but they’re frightened that he could spin them and run behind so the defenders don’t know what to do. Mbappe is in charge of every situation.”
“There’s a lot of good players out there who are quick but these lads are like lightning. So defenders have to make a decision instantaneously and it won’t always be the right one.
“They’re electric. You’re not catching these lads. As soon as defenders start pushing up and trying to get back in the game, they’re leaving spaces and the French lads with their pace – it’s happy days for them. You can’t do anything about pace. If they’re electrifying like that there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Keane also jumped to Mbappe’s defence for his one low moment of the night – his penalty miss.
Kylian Mbappe was denied from the penalty spot after a lengthy delay in waiting to take the kick
The forward’s effort was a tame one that Yassine Bounou comfortably held on to down to his left. However, Morocco’s protestations over a potential handball in the build-up meant that Mbappe had to wait a total of three minutes and ten seconds between winning the penalty and taking it.
“It is unfair. It’s unfair for him to be waiting for over three minutes,” Keane claimed at half-time.
“It’s a pressure situation. Why is he waiting over three minutes? It’s unfair even for world class players. Time is the enemy for a striker and it gives the advantage back to the goalkeeper. It’s not right.”
The key moments from Boston
25 – PENALTY! Mazraoui lunged in on Mbappe to concede penalty.
28 – PENALTY MISSED! Mbappe’s tame spot-kick saved by Bono.
35 – SAVE! Bouaddi dispossessed by Doue but shot was saved.
45+2 –BAR! Digne’s swerving shot from distance struck crossbar.
60 – GOAL! Mbappe found the far corner to fire France in front.
66 – GOAL! Dembele’s shot crept beyond Bono to double the lead.
76 – SUB! Mbappe departed appearing unhurt after going down.
