Fans shocked as footage of Kylian Mbappe's 'classless' celebration against Belgium as France won Euro 2024

KYLIAN MBAPPE has been branded “classless” for taunting Jan Vertonghen over his own goal – after the pair clashed earlier in France’s 1-0 win over Belgium.

Masked marauder Mbappe celebrated his country’s Euro 2024 last-16 victory over Belgium by rushing to have the last word with the former Spurs defender.

Vertonghen clashed with Mbappe after the French striker went downCredit: PA

The exchange came as tensions were rising before France broke through late in the match.Credits: Getty

Vertonghen saw Randal Kolo Muani’s shot deflect off him for France’s winning goalCredits: AP

Mbappé then took the time to confront Vertonghen

Tensions between the two teams began to boil over midway through the second half of a match that never lived up to expectations.

Mbappe was tripped in the box following a tackle from Vertonghen and appeared furious with the 37-year-old’s response.

The Anderlecht centre-back slipped in from behind and won the ball just before the Real Madrid newcomer tried to turn.

Mbappe collapsed but Vertonghen seemed to consider that the former PSG striker’s fall was a little late, a little too theatrical.

In turn, the hitman was not happy with the words exchanged and continued to insult his rival as they walked away.

Referee Glenn Nyberg stepped in to calm the situation.

But for Vertonghen, things only got worse in a disjointed competition.

And if he was in the right place to tackle Mbappé, he was then in the wrong place for the decisive moment of the match.

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It was Vertonghen who deflected a late French goal into his own net, following a powerful shot from Randal Kolo Muani.

He stuck out a knee as Kolo Muani missed a left-footed attempt – and the resulting ricochet caught Belgian number one Koen Casteels out for the only goal.

Mbappe seemed to think he had a good opportunity to claim a penaltyCredits: Getty

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But fans on social media demanded to know whether UEFA would “investigate” Mbappe for appearing to mock Vertonghen.

The 25-year-old opted to run towards the former Premier League ace before joining his team-mates who were celebrating behind the goal.

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One netizen posted: “This is embarrassing. This is unprofessional, especially from the captain.”

Other online verdicts included “No need” and “Stay classy.”

The icon’s action was also compared to the controversial behaviour of fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham earlier in the tournament.

Ronaldo, 39, raised his fist at Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek and shouted into midfielder Petr Sevcik’s ear as Portugal completed a 2-1 win in their opening group game.

UEFA are investigating Bellingham for appearing to make a crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakia bench after his wonder goal sparked England’s dramatic 2-1 last-16 victory on Sunday.

Deschamps believes Kylian’s vision is affected by the mask

KYLIAN MBAPPE is struggling to see under his mask as France’s goal-scoring struggles continue, writes JACK ROSSER.

It took another own goal for Les Bleus to qualify against Belgium for the quarter-finals, the second they have scored in Germany.

Didier Deschamps’ side have yet to score from direct play since the start of the tournament and Mbappe was sidelined on his return to the stadium where he broke his nose on the opening day.

Asked about the impact of the mask on his star player, Deschamps said: “He is getting used to it, what is important is that he is able to consolidate wearing the mask.

“He’s getting more and more used to it, there’s the sweat aspect and we know it can get in his eyes.

“He’s getting used to it, it’s his vision. I haven’t tried it but from what he says, he feels like he’s seeing 3D images.

“Even if it’s only a few tenths of a millisecond, his vision is disrupted. Everything in front of him is fine, but there’s a delay in his peripheral vision. He’s going to have to get used to that in the coming weeks or months.”

France had 19 shots against Belgium but only two found the target and it took a deflection from Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen to see them through to the quarter-finals.

The France coach said he would still concede an own goal to get his team through, but knew there had to be improvement.

There is confidence that things will change, given that chances are still being created, but Deschamps was frustrated by the number of long-range clearances.

He added: “If the ball is deflected, even if it’s an own goal, someone had to shoot. If the ball ends up in the back of the net, so be it.”

“The best teams are here, even when there are differences on paper, on the pitch there is great intensity.

“Even if today’s goal is enough, we still have the capacity and the opportunity to score more.

“The amount of shots we had, some of which were clearances, that’s the only thing we want to work on.”

This is another case of Belgium missing big talent. Eden Hazard may be gone, but Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are still here and they have been offered too little.

Manchester City star De Bruyne, 33, has refused to rule out retiring from international football after the latest disappointment.

He said: “It’s too early to answer. Let me digest this loss.”

“It’s been a very long season, I need to rest. I’ll make my decision after the summer.”