Euro 2024: Mbappe, France on a mission as favourites begin campaign
The Hindu
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, having endured disappointment in recent editions of the continental championship.
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 the 25-year-old, who has just signed for Real Madrid, is now hoping to make amends by leading his country to glory in Germany.
France have been European champions twice, most recently in 2000 when a 31-year-old Deschamps was captain.
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