Mbappe admits he failed at Euro 2024

France had struggled to live up to its tag as pre-tournament favourite in Germany but still ground its way through to the last four, only to come unstuck in Munich.

France was unable to force an equaliser in the second half as it lost a major tournament semi-final for the first time since Euro 1996, with Mbappe wasting a good opportunity late on.

Mbappe ended the tournament with no non-penalty goals from 23 such shots. Since records began in 1980, only Deco in 2004 (24) has ever had more non-penalty shots without netting at a single edition of the European Championships.

"They played a better game than us," Mbappe said. "We conceded two goals quickly and in the second half we had chances to come back but we didn't take them.

"The competition was a failure. I wanted us to be European champions and we're not. That's football."

Having suffered a broken nose during France's Group D opener against Austria last month, Mbappe was asked whether his condition had impacted his form. 

The forward – who will link up with his new Real Madrid team-mates in the coming weeks – refused to blame the injury for his lack of goals, saying: "We have to move on. 

"It's been a long year, I'm going to go on vacation to rest, it's going to do me a lot of good. We mustn't complicate football too much.

"You're good or you're not good. I wasn't good and we're going home, it's simple. I have to rest. After that, I'm leaving for a new life."

Mbappe played the semi-final without the protective mask he wore for France's last three games, which Didier Deschamps previously said was impacting his vision.

Asked about the decision to abandon the mask, Mbappe said: "We made the choice before the match.

"I was fed up with the mask. I asked the doctor if I could play without it, and he told me to do what I want."

Kylian Mbappé Lottin

France