The highly anticipated Nations League quarter-final match between France and Croatia got off to an unexpected and hilarious start.
As the players took their positions on the field, a remote control car, which was supposed to deliver the match ball to the center circle, malfunctioned.
Kylian Mbappe, typically known for his speed and skill on the pitch, found himself facing a rather different challenge – the car had broken down and wasn’t returning to the sidelines as expected.
Mbappe Takes Charge of the Situation
The remote control car is a fun and innovative way to bring the match ball onto the field, with similar methods used in various leagues around the world, including Ligue 1, where Mbappe used to play for Paris Saint-Germain. However, on this occasion, the technology failed.
After waiting for the car to exit the field without success, Mbappe decided to take matters into his own hands.
He handed the stuck car off to the person likely responsible for operating it, displaying a humorous moment of leadership off the field before the real action began.
A Stunning Comeback After the Laughs
Despite the amusing start, France quickly found their focus.
After a tough first leg, where they were trailing 2-0, Les Bleus turned things around in dramatic fashion.
With a strong second-half performance and a two-goal lead after extra time, the match headed into a penalty shootout.
France triumphed 5-4, clinching victory over Croatia, the team they had defeated in the 2018 World Cup.
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
The win sets up an exciting semi-final clash for France against Spain.
Spain also had to go through a penalty shootout, edging out the Netherlands after a thrilling 5-5 aggregate score over two legs.
The other semi-final will see Germany take on Portugal on June 4.
Fans can expect a summer packed with top-tier football action, as the semi-finals are scheduled just a week before the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States and only four days after the Champions League final.