Stopping Kylian Mbappe is one of the hardest challenges in modern football. Even the world’s best defenders and coaches search for ways to contain the French star. But Iraq’s coach, Graham Arnold, has offered an exceptional ‘solution’ to stop him, expressing a wish to field three goalkeepers at once.
Iraq face a strong France side in their second Group I match at 3 a.m. Bangladesh time. At the pre-match press conference, Arnold said jokingly: ‘I asked whether we could play three goalkeepers together, but they did not approve it.’
The 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner, Mbappe, is already setting one record after another in international football. He has surpassed the legend Pele in World Cup goals and is moving rapidly up the list of the tournament’s all-time top scorers, while he also holds the record as France’s all-time leading scorer.
Iraq’s goalkeeper and captain, Jalal Hassan, conceded four goals in the most recent 4-1 defeat to Norway. As a result, Arnold has not yet made a final decision on who will guard the goal in the crucial match against France.
The Iraqi coach said: ‘How France will play is not in our control. But we can control our own performance. I want my players to take the field and show their ability to the world.’
On the France side, meanwhile, Mbappe is at the centre of attention. By taking the field against Iraq, he will reach the milestone of his 100th international match in the France jersey.
On the achievement, Mbappe said: ‘Playing for the national team is always a special feeling. There is nothing bigger than representing your country. Playing 100 matches for France is a historic moment, and if it comes on the World Cup stage, it becomes even more memorable.’
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report