Kylian Mbappe requests substitution against Portugal: 'I was too tired'

Kylian Mbappe has asked France manager Didier Deschamps to make a substitution. blues’ On Friday, the quarter-finals will be played against Portugal at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.

“I asked him to take it off,” Mbappé said. “At half-time, I told him I couldn’t feel it anymore, I was too tired.”

Embappe suffered a serious nose injury after being hit by the ball in the 54th minute while his face was covered by a mask, and was substituted in the 105th minute.

Mbappe played the full 90 minutes and the first period of added time, but left the pitch at the start of the second period after speaking to Deschamps.

“He is always very honest with me and the team when he feels he does not have the ability to accelerate,” France coach Deschamps said. “He is not in the best condition… He feels really, really tired.

“I saw him struggling in the first period of overtime. It didn’t make sense (to leave him). Killian has always been honest with me and the team, so it was natural to bring in some new blood.”

France failed to score after Mbappé was substituted, but they finished the job by beating Portugal 5-3 on penalties. France have failed to score in their last four games and Mbappé is still searching for his first goal of the tournament.

France will play Spain in the semifinals on July 9. The match will be broadcast on FOX and the FOX Sports app at 2 p.m. ET.

follow Personalize your FOX Sports experience by following what you like