"I am never going to get over it" - Kylian Mbappe reacts to World Cup final loss after scoring 96th-minute winner for 10-man PSG
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Kylian Mbappe has admitted that he is unlikely to fully recover from the heartbreak he endured in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. His comments came after he fired the Parisians to a 2-1 win over Strasbourg on Wednesday (December 28) night.
Despite scoring a sensational hat-trick in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, Mbappe ended up on the losing side. La Albiceleste nicked a 4-2 win on penalties after the game finished 3-3 at the end of extra time. Mbappe finished the 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign with eight goals in seven games, winning the Golden Boot ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi (seven goals).
Ten days after scoring a hat trick in the World Cup final, Kylian Mbappé wins it for PSG in the 95th minute 💥 https://t.co/suCfUaiykI
On Wednesday night, 10 days after losing the 2022 World Cup final, Mbappe started for PSG, saving their blushes with a 96th-minute penalty. After the game, he was asked to comment on the World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
“I think I’m never going to get over it,” Mbappe told reporters (via First Post).
Kylian Mbappe added that he did not think it was fair for PSG to suffer because of France’s heartbreak as he said that he was happy to return to winning ways.
“As I said to my teammates, there is no reason why the club should pay the price for the failure of the national team; they are two very different situations,” the 24-year-old continued. It does me good to come back with a win and to have a link with the club, the supporters and my teammates.”
The goal, which came roughly half an hour after Neymar received a second yellow for diving, marked Mbappe’s 13th Ligue 1 goal in 15 appearances this season. His win helped the Parisians extend their lead to eight points over second-placed Lens at the top of the standings.
Neymar receives fifth red card of PSG career
One of the most experienced players on the team, Neymar did not cover himself in glory with his needless dive in the 62nd minute.
A minute after he was booked for catching midfielder Adrien Thomasson in the face, Neymar dove inside the Strasbourg box looking for a penalty. The referee did not see any contact and unhesitantly showed him a second yellow in as many minutes.
Neymar's reaction to his red card 🤬 https://t.co/eMPPwOlbiZ
Instead of accepting the decision, the PSG ace got in the referee's face and was fortunate to escape further sanctions. Courtesy of Neymar's latest red, he will miss the top-of-the-table clash with Lens on Sunday (January 1).
The red card, which came after Marquinhos had scored a 14th-minute goal and a 51st-minute own goal, marked the fifth of Neymar’s PSG career. He has been sent off a staggering 12 times in total.
Neymar's previous red card came in an April 2021 clash against Lille. He got a second yellow for shoving Tiago Djalo. Without one of their most important players, PSG succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.