Randal Kolo Muani came on unexpectedly early in the World Cup final for France on Sunday, but ended up on the losing side of a dramatic and top-class game after a penalty shootout against Argentina.
France head coach Didier Deschamps brough on Eintracht's Kolo Muani and Borussia Mönchengladbach's Marcus Thuram for Ousmane Dembelé and Olivier Giroud in the 41st minute of the game, with Les Bleus 2-0 down at the time.
They proved to be inspired substitutions as first Kolo Muani won a penalty in the closing stages of the second half that Kylian Mbappé converted (80'), before Thuram set up Mbappé to equalise moments later. A Lionel Messi penalty (23') and a goal from Angel di Maria (36') had put La Albiceleste 2-0 up in the first half.
Messi restored Argentina's lead in extra time with a right-footed effort (109'), only for it to be cancelled out by another Mbappé penalty (118'). Kolo Muani had a chance to win it for France shortly before the end but he was denied by Emiliano Martínez (120'+3), sending the match to a penalty shootout.
Randal played very well in the final. We’re very proud of him. France got back into the game after he came on. Everyone could see how good a player he is. He represented Eintracht Frankfurt superbly.
Markus Krösche
Kolo Muani held his nerve and scored his spot-kick but it was ultimately in vain following misses from Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni, with Argentina scoring each of their penalties.
Of the seven Eintracht players at the World Cup, six enjoyed minutes on the pitch. Kevin Trapp was the only one not to, having watched all of Germany's group games from the bench. Kristijan Jakic ended up on the podium alongside Kolo Muani after helping Croatia overcome Morocco in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
