It’s Kylian Mbappé who wears a mask, but the avenger is called Randal Kolo Muani, the much-maligned striker who nevertheless delivered France at the end of a difficult match against Belgium (1-0), Monday in Düsseldorf in the round of 16 of Euro-2024.
He didn’t score, the goal was attributed by UEFA to defender Jan Vertonghen, who deflected his shot with his thigh, but it was the Parisian’s thrust that saved the Blues, chloroformed by the “Red Devils”.
“RKM” emerged at the end of one of the many ten-man passing sequences in front of the Belgian area which until then had not produced much.
The action started with Théo Hernandez on the left, relayed by Antoine Griezmann, who shifted Jules Koundé into the area. The defender served back N’Golo Kanté, who launched Kolo Muani towards the goal.
“I had the idea of hitting it, it’s blocked, it goes in, I’m very very happy”said the kid from Villepinte, hero of the Blues in Düsseldorf, in the mixed zone after the match.
He had already scored in the World Cup semi-final, against Morocco (2-0), his first goal for France which completed the “Lions of the Atlas”the first having been scored by Théo Hernandez.
Deschamps always defended him
And of course there remains the memory of his match point in the final against Argentina missed against « Edu » Martinez, who still haunts him.
“It could have changed my life. I would have preferred to put it at the bottom,” he told L’Equipe. “I will never forget it, ever…”
With this goal he put some balm on this wound. Coming on in the 62nd minute in place of an ineffective Marcus Thuram, he perfectly celebrated his 20th selection (5 goals).
On returning, it was necessary “continue Thuram’s work, cut the lines with the defensive midfielder and not go out on the central defenders”he further explained.
And he gave his confidence back to Didier Deschamps, who has always defended him. The coach even came to whisper a word in his ear on the pitch at the end of the match.
“Ah, you don’t like him, Kolo… You’re too harsh with him.”said in November « DD » to journalists. “I may love him too much, but you don’t love him enough.”.
Shortly after, Kolo Muani scored his second goal for France against Greece (2-2) in Athens. He continued with a run of three goals in four matches, scoring again against Chile (3-2) in March and Luxembourg (3-0) in June.
The Blues were giving him a vacation after the ordeal of his year at Paris SG, where he played little. “It’s been a very complicated season, I’ve never had so many difficulties since I started playing”he admitted before the Euro.
The redemption continues.
