Mbappé criticized for passive attitude in France’s goal against Ukraine
France defeated Ukraine 1-0 in the World Cup qualifiers, but Kylian Mbappé’s behavior during Michael Olise’s decisive goal sparked criticism among fans and analysts.
The Controversial Play
The Bayern Munich striker, tipped as a future replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, scored the winner. However, replays showed Mbappé standing still during the buildup, failing to drag defenders with him a move that could have jeopardized the goal.
The lack of movement frustrated many French supporters watching live. “Mbappé who drops back 24/7 instead of drawing defenders with him…,” wrote one fan on social media.
Real Madrid Fans Also React
The criticism wasn’t limited to French fans. Supporters of Real Madrid — Mbappé’s current club highlighted that this flaw has become recurrent in his game, especially when he tries to play as a central striker rather than from the left wing.
Disappointing Performance Overall
Beyond the controversial moment, Mbappé’s display was considered below expectations. Social media users pointed to repeated mistakes in passing and decision-making.
One comment in French went viral: “Mbappé’s inaccuracy in passing, poor choices, poorly measured and poorly executed passes… Mamamia.”
Mbappé’s Numbers in the First Half
- 34 actions with the ball
- 2 successful dribbles out of 3 attempted
- 19 completed passes with 74% accuracy
Despite these stats, the forward’s lack of influence contrasted with his role as team captain, fueling debate over his positioning and responsibilities in Didier Deschamps’ lineup.
