Mbappe was brought onto replace the injured Martial
Although France’s 2-0 win over Kazakhstan was hardly a notable event with the French side dominating their opponents across the full 90 minutes, there was one incident which caught the eye.
Mbappe Ignored By Martial
It was the moment of animosity between Anthony Martial and Kylian Mbappe. Coming on to replace the injured Martial, Kylian Mbappe was seen extending his hand to Martial before he entered the pitch.
However, Martial refused to acknowledge his peers gesture as he ignored Mbappe’s outstretched hand. It was a move which clearly didn’t go down well with the PSG man with Mbappe captured sending down a seething stare Martial’s way after being left in the cold.
Martial had mbappe rattled. Ice cold no smile pic.twitter.com/qBclpGjJ8m
— (@asmufc1) March 28, 2021
While it remains to be seen if Martials was just crestfallen after his injury or holds any hard feelings for Mbappe, fingers have been pointed at Martial’s gesture. Martial’s laggard showings and Mbappe’s sensational rise have seen Martial give way for Mbappe in the French unit.
Martial did look good though in the scanty minutes he played before he hobbled off the park. The player was responsible for his side’s opening goal as he provided the assist for Ousmane Dembele’s goal.
The true extent of Martial’s injury is yet to be made public. Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante had previously withdrawn from the French squad after suffering a hamstring issue.
The 2-0 win for France on the day was a massive shot in the arm for the country as the side began its defence of the world cup.
“The job is done. We could have scored more goals if we had been more clinical after the break,” coach Didier Deschamps said.
France midfielder Paul Pogba said Kazakhstan proved to be worthy opponents on an artificial pitch.
“Kazakhstan never gave up. Everybody thought they’d let five goals in but that was not the case at all,” he said.
“We know that Ousmane can bring a lot to this team, he still needs to improve, we know it,” Pogba said. “I’m taking him under my wing to boost him.”
