It had been 97 seconds after Kylian Mbappe had scored on a penalty kick
when the ball arced back toward him. Before the 81st minute of play, he had
barely even touched the ball. Like he was just another pawn in Messi’s
game, he hadn’t demonstrated any particular feel for the ball. At this
point, the trajectory of the ball was descending toward him. It would have
made sense for him to take a touch to steady himself before firing. Nope,
not even close. Instead, he attempts an impressive volley, as if he’s been
on fire all night. The proverbial “mic-drop” moment. In what magical way
does he succeed? How did he get Kylian, who grew up in a rough section of
the Paris outskirts called Bondy, to the world cup stage on what sounded
like a nightmare of a night?
when the ball arced back toward him. Before the 81st minute of play, he had
barely even touched the ball. Like he was just another pawn in Messi’s
game, he hadn’t demonstrated any particular feel for the ball. At this
point, the trajectory of the ball was descending toward him. It would have
made sense for him to take a touch to steady himself before firing. Nope,
not even close. Instead, he attempts an impressive volley, as if he’s been
on fire all night. The proverbial “mic-drop” moment. In what magical way
does he succeed? How did he get Kylian, who grew up in a rough section of
the Paris outskirts called Bondy, to the world cup stage on what sounded
like a nightmare of a night?
