Randal Kolo Muani, a 24-year-old forward for Eintracht Frankfurt who is a France international, has had an extensive interview with L’Equipe. In the interview, the former Nantes striker recalled the dramatic 2022 France vs. Argentina World Cup final.
When he came in to replace an erratic Ousmane Dembélé before halftime, Kolo Muani who had started the game on the bench, was thrust into action.
His passion and intensity provided France a lifeline, and he is widely regarded as France’s second-best performer in the final behind Kylian Mbappé. He infact won the penalty that Kylian Mbappé converted to cut the deficit.
What Kolo Muani Said About His Miss
Kolo Muani assessed. “I was so focused. I said to myself ‘Randal, play your football, like it’s the last game of your career.’ It was a World Cup final, I maxed myself out.“
Deep in injury time of extra-time, as both teams geared for a career-defining penalty shootout, France and Muani had the title up for grabs.
Ibrahima Konaté launched a long ball that caught the Argentina defence by surprise and enabled Kolo Muani to go one-on-one with Emiliano Martinez.
The Aston Villa goalie then spread himself to thwart the Frankfurt man’s volley with a stunning save.
Randal Kolo Muani sur son face-à-face contre Emiliano Martinez :
« Ça aurait pu changer ma vie. Quand je la regarde encore, je trouve que j’ai pas mal de possibilités. Mais sur le terrain, ça va trop vite. Je peux la regarder 3 ou 4 fois d’affilée encore. Cette action me donne… pic.twitter.com/wG60eFAp8S
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) March 22, 2023
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“It could have changed my life,” admits the French forward.
“When I watch it back, I realise I had so many possibilities. But on the pitch, it all goes so fast.”
Kolo Muani admitted that, with hindsight, he could have squared the ball to the onrushing Mbappé, chipped the ball over Martinez or volleyed it to the keeper’s left.
The Bondy-born forward added: “I’m not going to forget it, ever. We were this close to bring home a third star. I’m not going to lie, that makes me mad.“
