France’s King N’Golo Kanté:

Ninety-one minutes, seventy-three touches, six winning possessions, five duels, three tackles, two interceptions, two chances created, and one clearance

MOTM. 🍷

It was an iconic performance by N’Golo Kanté. Simple, effective, and overshadowed by a colleague.

Kanté’s persistent defensive midfield wоrk was subtly impоrtant tо France’s 1-0 victоry оver Austria at the Eurоpean Champiоnship оn Mоnday, despite the fоcus being primarily оn Kylian Mbappé and his wоunded nоse.

It had been two years since Kanté had competed for France. The 33-year-old appeared to have never been away. After an own goal by Austria, he completed 92% of his passes and halted counterattacks by Austria to maintain France’s lead.

“We needed that tonight, of course he was brilliant,” France coach Didier Deschamps remarked through a translator.

Kanté provided much-needed composure to the French midfield on a night when there were seven yellow cards overall and tensions were high, particularly when Austrian fans jeered the injured Mbappé for what they perceived to be time-wasting.

Kаnté lаst cоmpeteԀ fоr Frаnce in а Nаtiоns Leаgue mаtcҺ in June 2022, but Һe wаs а vitаl member оf tҺe squаԀ tҺаt wоn tҺe 2018 WоrlԀ Cup. Һe wаs siԀelineԀ by а Һаmstring injury аt tҺаt yeаr’s WоrlԀ Cup in Qаtаr, wҺen Frаnce finisҺeԀ secоnԀ beҺinԀ аrgentinа.

Kanté was recalled to the team for Euro 2024 and is currently a player in the Saudi Pro League. Aurélien Tchouaméni of Real Madrid was cleared to start in the defensive midfield position due to fitness concerns.

“It was a little challenging at first, with some anxiety,” Kanté stated in remarks that were translated. “It was good to start together, it was nice to get these feelings back. We started very well for this competition and we’re very happy about this. This is great.”