Kolo Muani: France Star Breaks Silence on His Last Minute Miss Against Argentina

• Kolo Muani has spoken for the first time after his last-minute miss during the World Cup final
• The France forward could have won the 2022 World Cup for his country but for Emiliano Martinez's save
• Argentina went ahead to win the final against France by a penalty shootout

France forward Randal Kolo Muani admits he is having sleepless nights over his miss in the dying embers of the 2022 World Cup final.

The 2018 World Champions locked horns against South American champions Argentina in the final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Muani, who was brought on in the first half as Lionel Messi and his teammates dominated, had the glorious opportunity to win the match for Didier Deschamps' side, after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick brought France back into the match at 3-3.

Muani's big chance came in the 120th minute to grab a late win for France at the Lusail Stadium, after coming up one-on-one against Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.

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However, the Aston Villa shot-stopper spread himself in epic fashion to deny the Eintracht Frankfurt striker.

Martinez would go ahead and save Argentina in the penalty shootout by keeping out Kingsley Coman's effort while causing Tchouameni to miss the target with his antics on the line.

Yet for devastated Muani, his squandered opportunity is still very fresh in his mind.

"I still watch it, I know it off by heart," the 24-year-old told beIN Sports.

“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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Since the incident, Muani has gone on to light up the Bundesliga, scoring or providing an assist in four of his last five official games across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Martinez has been ever present in between the sticks for Aston Villa, losing only one game since his return from the Mundial.

Martinez reacts to Muani's chance

Sports Brief also reported that Martinez has shed light on how he pulled off his last-ditch crucial save in the World Cup final.

Martinez, who collected the Golden Glove award at the tournament, was the difference between France and a third World Cup crown.

Although the plaudits ended up at the doorsteps of Lionel Messi, the playing body including fans of La Albiceleste reckon their World Cup triumph would not have been possible without Martinez.

Messi's reaction to Martinez's big save

New footage of how Lionel Messi reacted to Emiliano Martinez’s last-ditch save in the World Cup final has gone viral, Sports Brief earlier reported.

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With the game in the balance, France forward, Muani had a golden opportunity in the dying moments of the game to grab a late win for France at the Lusail Stadium, after coming up one-on-one against Argentina goalkeeper, Martinez.

However, the Aston Villa shot-stopper spread himself in epic fashion to deny the Eintracht Frankfurt striker.