KYLE WALKER promised he wasn't going to roll out the red carpet to Kylian Mbappe- and he was true to his word.
Handed the toughest assignment in world football, the England right-back did a terrific job last night.
If Mbappe was the French bomb; Walker was the disposal expert charged with defusing his huge threat and he did so with an admirably steady hand.
Mbappe had his moments - he was always going to with the style and class that he has - but against an opponent almost as quick as him he was unable to wreak the havoc he had done previously in the tournament.
France defender Dayot for his Upamecano advised Walker to have an early night in preparation date with the world's most dangerous striker.
He must have been tucked up early and got a good night's sleep on this evidence.
Walker had played for an hour against Wales and for a full 90 minutes against Senegal but after two months out he still did not have much football under his belt going into this tournament.
But he was relaxed enough in the tunnel to offer a wink to the little mascot whose hand he held as the sides walked out onto the pitch -although France served immediate notice of their intentions when the game kicked off.
This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of Sunday Express.
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This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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