Kylian Mbappe’s first World Cup goal gave France the lead over Peru on Thursday afternoon
With little over half an hour played in the game in Yekaterinburg, France won possession through Paul Pogba, who swiftly slid a pass through to Olivier Giroud. The Chelsea striker’s shot deflected off a Peruvian defender, the ball looping over the goalkeeper, seemingly destined to cross the line. Making absolutely sure that it did, Mbappe was on hand to apply one final touch.
In scoring, the 19-year-old became the youngest Frenchman to ever score for his country at a World Cup.
GOAL! Pogba slides in Giroud whose shot deflects over the goalkeeper and Mbappe is on hand to tap in becoming France's youngest ever goalscorer at a World Cup in the process pic.twitter.com/TGx7b2XZpC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 21, 2018
Some watching, however, weren’t all that impressed with the way he had appeared to steal what would have been Giroud’s goal.
A glimpse on Twitter in the minutes after Mbappe’s strike saw many making comparisons with former Portsmouth and Leicester City striker, David Nugent.
In 2007, Nugent scored his only England goal as he came on as a substitute in a European Championships qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona. A shot from Jermain Defoe had already been set to cross the line before Nugent poked home, completing the scoring in a 3-0 victory.
Mbappe doing his best David Nugent impression
— Jake (@Jake_Moreton) June 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/GarethBale22/status/1009822891318358021
Kylian Mbappe there, taking his lead from the David Nugent school of finishing https://t.co/30Unncm0u2
— Calum Fuller (@Calum_Fuller) June 21, 2018
Mbappe chanelling his inner David Nugent there #thief
— Ubergreeny (@ubergreeny) June 21, 2018
That looked like it was already going in. Mbappe channeling his inner David Nugent.
— Josh Homer (@Josh_Homer_93) June 21, 2018
Mbappe is just a poor man's David Nugent #justiceforGiroud
— Jonny Singer (@Jonny_Singer) June 21, 2018
France opened their World Cup campaign at the weekend, eventually defeating a resilient Australian side thanks to a late Pogba goal.
Australia were able to pick up their first point of the tournament against Denmark earlier on Thursday, Mile Jedinak’s penalty cancelling out an early opener from Christian Eriksen.
