N’Golo Kanté crucial to France’s success once again after 2 years out of the team
Austria's Nicolas Seiwald, left, challenges for the ball with N'Golo Kante of France during a Group D match between Austria and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Augstein]
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — With all the attention on Kylian Mbappé and his injured nose, N’Golo Kanté’s tireless defensive midfield work was quietly crucial to France’s 1-0 win over Austria at the European Championship on Monday. Kanté had not played a competitive game for France in two years. It was as if the 33-year-old had never been away. He stopped Austria counterattacks, completed 92% of his passes and preserved France’s lead following an Austria own goal.
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