Fearless, joyous Mbappe is ready to rule the world for next decade

AS they lined up a swathe through tournaments for

in the tunnel the next decade.

on a clammy, With Croatia, generally as

thunderous accomplished in possession

Moscow evening, as they were against England,

Hugo Lloris wiped enjoying territorial advantage for

the sweat from lengthy periods, Mbappe (below)

his brow, Luka might only have been seen in

Modric stared flashes in this compelling contest.

into the But they were frightening flashes.

distance, seeing There was the gear-change from

no one and quick to rapid as he played his

nothing but his defence-unnerving role in the Paul

own intensity. Pogba strike that gave France Behind them, breathing space.

Kylian Mbappe And then there was the arrogant could not take a swish of the right boot to grin from his effectively settle matters and face, in fact it become the first was a mighty teenager to score in struggle to a World Cup stop it from Final since Pele becoming a announced himself laugh. to a wider audience

This is one in 1958. audacious kid, Pele, don’t forget, this is one was almost two audacious years younger when talent. he stunned the world

It is with his performances in audacity the Sweden 60 years ago.

World Cupwinning The world already knows Mbappe, named as the best young practicality of player of the tournament. boss Didier This was not Mbappe’s most Deschamps devastating performance, but he can not was the tournament’s most contain, devastating player. He will set a audacity he global standard, just as the French would not want will, for a while to come. to contain, Yes, they enjoyed some fortune. audacity that was Antoine Griezmann took a dive fundamental to this for the free-kick that led to Mario triumphant French summer. Mandzukic’s own goal and, after And think about this... Mbappe Ivan Perisic had levelled, Nestor does not turn 20 years of age until Pitana awarded the harshest of just before Christmas. Var-prompted penalties, which This is a young man who can cut Griezmann despatched. But they were better than Croatia, just as Croatia had been better than England.

That, in a nutshell, is the size of the challenge facing Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 and beyond.

Southgate and the English public might have just cause for optimism, having enjoyed that run to the semi-final with a young squad.

France’s squad was younger. Pogba, at 25, might not yet be in his pomp although he surely approached it at times in Russia, outstanding full-backs Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are 22.

The nation back home is already looking optimistically towards the Euros in a couple of years’ time. Rightly so.

But revisit a couple of Belgian performances here, look at the way Croatia performed for decent spells of this final, and then consider this vibrant, youthful France squad that did not even need the likes of Dimitri Payet or Anthony Martial.

Watching England rise to the task will be fascinating but, for now, savour the thrill of watching Mbappe. Just as he savours it.

As he waited to collect his individual award and his winner’s medal, Mbappe looked up and watched a re-run of his goal on the giant screen. And that familiar smile, that carefree boyish delight, spread across his face again.

This is one audacious kid, this is one audacious talent.