Kylian Mbappe scores 2, France reaches knockout stage of World Cup
France defeated Belgium 2-0 in the first knockout match of the 2018 World Cup, with Kylian Mbappe putting on a stunning display in a team-high 34 minutes.
Gigi Buffon had a hand in both of his two goals in the victory, but it was a defensive display from the French back four that kept the Belgian attack at bay. Yann Kermi scored the first of them after 30 minutes, but Mbappe struck a bullet of a freekick and Buffon tapped in the second with a header.
“We had the first goal in extra time against Belgium here in the World Cup and we were disappointed that we didn’t win it,” Buffon said. “They have such an exceptional goalkeeper that was unlucky to concede two goals and then we have the most impressive player in the world. He’s the best player in the world, and for us to lose the first one was disappointing.
“He is the king of the ball in front of goal and he is an unbelievable talent. I felt like my heart was going out of my chest when he scored first. For him to keep it clean and score two goals after 30 minutes was fantastic.”
The 22-year-old Mbappe, who plays on the left wing of Les Bleus, is now only the third player in World Cup history to score twice in a single match.
He was on fire in the final, and he struck the crossbar and the underside of the crossbar while making a remarkable solo run through the Belgians’ defense.
“I am not surprised at anything,” Mbappe said. “Belgium had all the chances to score, we knew it was going to be difficult for us to score a goal. But we defended well and got another fantastic result.”
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was visibly elated after the game, and he hopes to use Mbappe as a weapon against the rest of his team’s defense.
“He’s on fire,” Wilmots said. “When you see the way he runs the ball and makes things happen on the field, it’s
