Randal Kolo Muani still heartbroken over last-gasp World Cup final miss - 'It'll be there for life'
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Published 04/02/2023 at 10:56 GMT
With a gripping World Cup final locked at 3-3 against Argentina, France forward Randal Kolo Muani was through on goal in the dying moments but saw his shot saved by Emiliano Martinez. Of course, Lionel Messi and co would eventually lift the cup after a dramatic penalty shootout, and Muani admits he is still heartbroken over his missed chance. "I still watch it, I know it off by heart," he said.
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It was one of the most iconic moments of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and for France forward Randal Kolo Muani his missed chance in the dying embers of the final against Argentina is something that will “be there for life”.
With Les Bleus and Argentina level at 3-3 in the closing stages of extra-time, the Eintracht Frankfurt star was released through on goal only to see Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pull off a sensational save with his leg to bring the game to penalties.
Of course, Argentina would win the shootout, as Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup to cap an illustrious career after Martinez saved a penalty from Kingsley Coman.
"I still watch it, I know it off by heart," Muani told
.
“In my head, I said to myself – Randal, you have to shoot now. I tried to shoot towards the near post but the goalkeeper made a very good save. But there were other options.
"I could have lobbed him, or find Kylian Mbappe [who was free on the left]. But in the moment, I didn’t see him. It’s only when you watch back that you discover the other options. It’s too late. It still sticks in my throat and it’ll be there for life."
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LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the World Cup Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atk
Image credit: Getty Images
Martinez, meanwhile, got a tattoo of the trophy on the same leg that he used to save Kolo Muani's shot.
“It's a moment that I always have to give to my team-mates, they scored three goals against me and it hurt, but then I did everything right,” the Aston Villa goalkeeper said.
“It was a game of suffering, just two efforts against us and they drew level with us.
“One thing we said was that it was our destiny to suffer, we got 3-2 ahead again, and then they gave another penalty against us.
“Then I did my thing, what I dreamed of, there could not be a World Cup that I have dreamed of so much.”
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