Mbappé Scores but Limps Off Late in France’s World Cup Qualifying Win. Germany Gets Boost
Kylian Mbappé showed little sign of a recent ankle injury as he scored with a slaloming run to help France beat Azerbaijan 3-0 in World Cup qualifying on Friday.
He added an assist for France’s second goal but did have to limp off late after he had tussled for a ball with an opponent.
France maintained a perfect record after three games, while Germany got back on track by easing to a 4-0 win over Luxembourg.
France dominated Azerbaijan but struggled to create opportunities and it took an individual effort from Mbappé to break the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, The Associated Press reported.
The Real Madrid forward gathered the ball in midfield and dribbled through numerous players before slotting a shot into the bottom right corner.
He has now scored in 10 straight matches for club and country.
Mbappé is France’s second all-time scorer with 53 goals and needs five more to overtake Olivier Giroud for the No. 1 spot.
The 26-year-old Mbappé also set up France’s second goal with a lofted pass in the area for Adrien Rabiot to head home in the 69th minute.
Mbappé had been a doubt before the match with an injury to his right ankle and he appeared to hurt the same ankle late on, forcing him off in the 83rd minute.
His replacement, late call-up Florian Thauvin, immediately extended France’s advantage with his first goal for Les Bleus since scoring on his last international appearance six years ago.
