France coach Didier Deschamps has revealed Kylian Mbappe struggles with his mask, even after he scored from the spot against Poland.
The Les Bleus drew Robert Lewandowski’s Poland 1-1 on Tuesday night, finishing second in Group D with five points in three games.
Mbappe, who suffered fractured nose eight days prior in a match against Austria, returned to the starting lineup and scored a second-half penalty.
Despite the goal, Deschamps idenfies the difficulties Mbappé encountered with the mask.
“Despite everything he has gone through, a week after the blow, it was complicated,” Deschamps told newsmen.
“He needed to get used to it. But when he sweats, that sticks in his eyes, and he needed to wipe his eyes.”
Mbappe’s performance was commendable, as he played the full game, initially as a central striker and later on the left wing.
Deschamps praised his efforts, stating, “He’s hungry to play, and the game would have done him some good.”
Mbappé’s 56th-minute penalty wasn’t enough for a victory, as Lewandowski equalized for Poland with a 79th-minute spot kick.
This result left France as runners-up in their group, placing them in the same half of the draw as heavyweights Portugal, Germany, and Spain.
