Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain’s precocious young forward, wreaked havoc amid Belgian defenders in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, as his country booked their place in the final courtesy of Samuel Umtiti’s header
The teenager exhibited jaw-dropping skill with his deft flicks and quick feet, and his pace was a constant threat throughout the match. He exhibited all the talent that enamoured fans to him during his similarly exceptional performance against Argentina.
Read more: Kylian Mbappe the star as France beat Belgium to reach World Cup final
However, he also was guilty of some brazenly cynical timewasting and gamesmanship which led some fans to criticise his behaviour on the pitch.
Cynical play from Mbappé
Amid the tweets praising his obvious ability, were some criticising his gamesmanship. The Frenchman wasted around 30 seconds dribbling the ball into the box after picking it up and dropped it having conceded a throw-in.
Mbappe was booked, entirely inconsequentially, for the offence.
.@KMbappe I was rooting for France up until this. Your childish actions may have gained you 20 seconds, but cost you the respect of the world pic.twitter.com/vaHMiBPE9J
— Mac Faulkner (@macfaulkner) July 11, 2018
Mbappe is 19 and considered an all time great. Greatness is measured by skills and on field exploits as well as contribution to the team' cause. Not by petty time consuming antics. pic.twitter.com/5s2jntAHaU
— lokallobaat (@Don145) July 11, 2018
Just look at Mbappe's dive. So bad, so bad. pic.twitter.com/OkrAEcFYwH
— MP ツ (@ModernPine) July 10, 2018
Seriously, that timewasting by Mbappe was downright cringeworthy. I get it, the end justifies the means and all that, but a player who is that good, should not stoop to behavioris like that.
— Guido Merry (@MerryGuido) July 10, 2018
Mbappe time wasting antics are part of mordern football tactics. Many people feeling bad about his actions are watching football for the first time cant even realise that belgium used the same tactics against brazil… #FRABEL
— Disgusted_KE (@RightsChampion) July 10, 2018
Criticism also came from the losing Belgian side
The Belgians, who after conceding a set piece goal found themselves facing a very defensive French side, had lots to say about their neighbours’ style of play. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said: “France headed in a corner and did nothing more than defend.
“I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil, at least that was a team that wanted to play football. [France] are just an anti-football team.”
Hazard told Het Nieuwsblad after the match: “I’d prefer to lose with this Belgium than win with this France. But they do defend strongly and are very efficient. We didn’t find their weak spot. That little moment of magic needed to score was not present.”
More on the World Cup:
How will Croatia line-up against England in the World Cup semi-final?
England v Croatia: Head-to-head record and previous meetings
It’s Coming Home: Big Ben to be painted with St George’s Crosses
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