Mbappé step move on Carrasco. Talk about leaving a defender in the dust. With his mask on and all, Mbappé does a perfect step over move and dribbles in to take a shot for France.
Carrasco was absolutely cooked by Mbappé here 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/vRD16UjGS5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2024
Overall, the mask doesn’t seem to bother Mbappé too much. The question is though, will he have to keep wearing it all Euro 2024 tournament long? I’m sure he’d feel much more comfortable without it on his face.
The French forward shows off his version of the step over with such smoothness. Who made the step over famous in the modern game? You’d have to say Cristiano Ronaldo of course. Ronaldo, even at 39 years old, can still do a few step overs for Portugal. Mbappé of course is just 25 years old.
There is a time and place for a move like the step over. It is useful if you’re looking to cut down the line or inside to shoot. Here, France’s Adrien Rabiot leaves the ball for Mbappé to do his magic.
Also, there has to be some pace behind the defender to run into. Moreover, when doing a step over it is all about a change of pace. Slow, slow and then fast after you do the move.
Additionally, a move like a step over should be done when you are one versus one. There is not another defender in support of the first defender you’re taking on.
So far in Euro 2024 Mbappé has only scored once. And that was from the penalty spot. If France are going to go on and win this tournament, Mbappé will need to score more goals, surely.
France were able to overcome Belgium thanks to an Jan Vertonghen own goal off a deflected shot. There have been a surprising number of own goals in the tournament up till now. Nine own goals up to this point in the Euro 2024 tournament. The leader in the golden boot race for top scorer is “own goal”!
France move on now to the quarterfinals. No doubt we’ll see at least one more Mbappé step over in this tournament.
Interestingly, France will face the winner of the Portugal versus Slovenia match later today. It could be a step over battle, Ronaldo versus Mbappé.
