Kylian Mbappe has last laugh after angry row with ex-Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen
Kylian Mbappe’s France have managed to squeeze into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with victory over Belgium and there were some unsavoury scenes between the striker and defender Jan Vertonghen
Kylian Mbappe made sure to rub France’s winning goal against Belgium in Jan Vertonghen’s face after a skirmish between the pair.
Les Bleus booked their spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Monday evening. They squeezed through 1-0 after Randal Kolo-Muani’s shot took a significant deflection off of Vertonghen.
The former Tottenham defender has been credited with the goal. And his disappointment was worsened by Mbappe’s celebration. Ahead of joining his teammates, the Real Madrid star ran towards Vertonghen and shouted loudly in his face. A few words were exchanged before the referee then intervened.
Mbappe’s reaction appeared to be a direct reply to an earlier exchange between the pair. Earlier in the second-half, Mbappe fell under a challenge in the penalty area.
He gave a hopeful glance towards the referee. But Vertonghen was not left pleased with his attempts at earning a penalty.
The Belgian veteran gave Mbappe some stern words while he was still on the floor. Mbappe and Vertonghen then went chest to chest as tensions grew.
Belgium had already been forced to apologise to the striker ahead of the game. In a video shared in the nation’s social media channels, Brussels-based comedian Pablo Andres asked: “Who will kick Mbappe in the shin?” Everton star Andre Onana replied by chanting his own name.
Jan Vertonghen was not pleased with Mbappe’s attempts to win a penalty
Kylian Mbappe celebrates in front of Jan Vertonghen
Press officer Stefan Van Loock staged an apology in Belgium’s pre-match press conference at their training base. “It was not the intention to attack anyone. We have been working with comedian Pablo Andres for a long time, this video also had to be funny,” Van Loock said.
“But we misjudged that and also took the video offline. We would like to apologise to anyone we may have offended with this. For us, this is the end of the matter.”
In the end, it was France who were celebrating as they reached the last eight. Didier Deschamps was full of praise for his side as they found a way past a resolute Belgium side.
Both Kylian Mbappe and Jan Vertonghen were given a talking to by the referee (
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He said: “We have been playing against teams who are used to having more possession but we have made lots of progress in that regard and our opponents are more wary of us now.
“Belgium looked quite attacking on paper in their set-up today but they were prudent in the way they played. We did everything today to attack and create chances. We also needed to be intelligent and wary, to not give them the spaces they wanted.
“It is not what wins you the match but it is better to have the ball and make your opponents defend. We didn’t fall into their trap, we did what we had to do.”
