“He’s scary” - Kylian Mbappe shares interesting theory on why Joao Felix missed penalty for Portugal in Euro 2024 quarter-final
Kylian Mbappe of France explained the missed penalty in the shootout by Portugal's Joao Felix in the quarter-final at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Friday (July 5) as Les Bleus reached the semi-final. The match had ended goalless after the end of regulation time and the added 30 minutes, leading to penalties.
Both sides converted their spot-kicks except for Joao Felix, who missed Portugal's third effort, leading to his team crashing out of the competition. Mbappe lauded goalkeeper Mike Maignan and gave him substantial credit for France's win in the shootout.
Furthermore, Mbappe came up with a bizarre reason for Felix missing the penalty, explaining that Maignan was a scary proposition for the player:
"He's scary. I don't have the exact explanation, but when João Félix hits the post, it's because he thinks there's a goalkeeper in front of him who's going to get it. We were successful, but a big part of that was down to Mike."
France will face Luis de la Fuente's Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Tuesday (July 9) in Munich after La Roja had ousted hosts Germany 2-1 in extra time in an earlier quarter-final.
Joao Felix had heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe ahead of Barcelona's clash with PSG in 2023-24 UCL QF
Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona. The Blaugrana faced Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Felix had lauded Kylian Mbappe ahead of the match at the Parc des Princes. The Portuguese forward praised Mbappe's decision-making and ability to be electric with the ball at his feet.
According to Felix, Mbappe's ability to make a difference in any team he plays makes him one of the best strikers in the world. He said via Get Football News France:
“He’s maybe the best striker in the world. I love the way he plays. If he receives the ball to feet or if he runs into space, he is very quick and has quality.
"In other words, he is very decisive and makes the difference in whatever team he plays in," complimented Joao Felix.
Barcelona won the first leg 3-2 but squandered a 1-0 lead in the second leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys to lose 4-1 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.