‘Mbappe’s Hat-Trick Not Enough’: Leboeuf on France’s Epic Final Defeat

The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar will be remembered as one of the greatest spectacles in football history. Argentina lifted the trophy, but Kylian Mbappe’s extraordinary hat-trick nearly snatched it away. Former French international Frank Leboeuf, watching from the stands, saw a pivotal moment: Mbappe’s frustration boiling over into a devastating explosion of talent.

The final showdown

France entered the final as defending champions, facing Lionel Messi’s Argentina. The match swung wildly: Argentina led 2-0 through Messi and Angel Di Maria, but Mbappe pulled one back from the penalty spot, then volleyed home seconds later. Extra time saw Messi restore Argentina’s lead, but Mbappe equalised again, becoming only the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966. Yet France ultimately fell 4-2 on penalties.

Mbappe's eruption

Leboeuf, speaking after the game, highlighted the moment Mbappe’s demeanour shifted. “Our performance until that stage had clearly made Kylian Mbappe angry, and suddenly you saw this explosion,” Leboeuf said. The forward, who had been relatively quiet for much of the match, transformed into a one-man whirlwind. His first goal sparked a 97-second blitz that clawed France back from the brink. Leboeuf’s observation captures the psychological intensity of elite sport: a superstar’s fury turned into a historic rally.

What it means

Mbappe’s performance cemented his status as a generational talent, but the loss adds a bittersweet note to his legacy. For France, the defeat ends their reign as world champions. Yet Leboeuf’s comment underscores a deeper narrative: Mbappe’s hunger and competitiveness. At just 23, he has already scored in two World Cup finals and will surely have more chances. The final also highlighted the fine margins in knockout football — a penalty shootout decided the destiny of a trophy. As France rebuilds, Mbappe’s anger-driven brilliance offers both a warning and a promise for opponents.