Kylian Mbappé's France progresses to Euro 2024 semi-finals despite challenges

In a stunning display of resilience, France has advanced to the semi-finals of a major tournament despite their struggles in front of goal. Led by captain Kylian Mbappe, the team overcame Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a tense quarter-final match that ended in a penalty shootout victory. Despite criticism of Mbappe's recent performances, the team's defensive strength, anchored by goalkeeper Maignan and a solid back four, has been commendable, conceding only one goal so far in the competition. Mbappe, who has faced challenges including a broken nose and fatigue, remains focused on the team's success. Despite his own limited goal-scoring contributions, he emphasizes the collective strength of the team and their determination to win. The forward's move to Real Madrid after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended adds another layer of intrigue to his personal journey amidst the tournament. France's reliance on their defensive prowess and team structure echoes past successes of teams like Greece in 2004, as they aim to reach the final based on their solid defense rather than prolific goal-scoring. Mbappe's vocal advocacy for civic engagement and warnings against the rise of far-right ideologies in France have also garnered attention, showcasing his leadership both on and off the field. As the team looks ahead to the semi-finals and beyond, Mbappe's determination to lift the Henri Delaunay Cup in Berlin on July 14 remains unwavering, despite the challenges he has faced during the tournament.