Injury-free France captain Mbock 'impatient' for Euro 2025 debut in quarterfinal
Les Bleues have been boosted by the return of Mbock for Saturday's quarterfinal against Germany after the experienced defender missed the whole of the group stage due to a calf injury.
Although it's not as if they fared too badly without her. France topped one of the toughest groups in the tournament with three wins, including over defending champion England.
'I feel really good, actually I'm really impatient because I was away from the pitch for quite a long time,' Mbock said on Friday. 'But today I feel good and I'm going to be back to the pitch. I took all the energy that the team gave me, that helped me to hold on for this time of absence.
'I'm impatient to start this competition on the pitch and, simply, to be able to contribute.'
The winner will face world champion Spain or Switzerland in the semifinals.
The 30-year-old Mbock has 92 appearances for France — starting 81 of them — since her debut 12 years ago.
But at Euro 2025 she has been restricted to a place on the substitutes bench and only then so she could cheer on the team from the sidelines.
'It's very good news,' France coach Laurent Bonadei said. 'She suffered a bit in silence for all this time, far away from the pitch.
'However, she was present with her teammates in order to give very good advice, that is why I included her on the bench, because she's captain, she's very precious in the locker room also and she'll be ready to start the game tomorrow.'
France is on an 11-match winning streak but the quarterfinals have always been somewhat of a stumbling block for Les Bleues.
France has only twice made it into the semifinals of a World Cup or Euros: The 2011 World Cup where it lost to the United States, and at Euro 2022 where it fell to Germany.
Les Bleues have been eliminated in the quarterfinals in six of the past eight World Cups or Euros.
'I like talking about overcoming barriers and I think that since October this team has been overcoming barriers at each step,' Bonadei said. 'We had the friendly games, we had the Nations League and now our group here, which was labelled the group of death and this team advanced and managed to overcome barriers.
'So I have a lot of confidence in this team to overcome this next barrier.'
As well as being boosted at the back by Mbock, France knows it can rely on its ruthless attack.
France bagged 11 goals in its three group stage matches — scored by nine different players.
Moreover, Germany will be weakened in defense. Captain Giulia Gwinn was ruled out of the tournament after injuring her knee in her team's opening win and her replacement, Carlotta Wamser, is suspended for the quarterfinal after being sent off in Germany's 4-1 thrashing by Sweden.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
Ovi Ejaria on trial with La Liga club after not playing since 2022
Ovi Ejaria on trial with La Liga club after not playing since 2022 Without a club since January 2024 and having not played a match since 2022, Nigerian-born Ovi Ejaria is looking to revive his career. The former Liverpool prospect is currently on trial at Real Oviedo, backed by Veljko Paunovic, his former coach at Reading. Despite his long spell of inactivity, the Nigerian attacking midfielder is showing better fitness than expected and is impressing in training. His technical quality and dribbling skills remain undiminished. Ovi Ejaria (26) truly made his mark in the Championship with Reading before an injury stalled his progress. Now a free agent and potentially a low-cost signing, he could be an intriguing addition for Oviedo, who are seeking more attacking creativity on their return to La Liga. One to watch closely.

CNN
3 minutes ago
- CNN
England produces another dramatic comeback to make second consecutive Women's Euros final
UKFacebookTweetLink Follow England has made late comebacks its calling card at the 2025 Women's Euros and produced another dramatic finish in its 2-1 victory over Italy in the semifinals in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday. The Lionesses had trailed most of the match after Barbara Bonansea's first half goal on 33 minutes until Michelle Agyemang equalized in the 96th minute, with less than two minutes of added time remaining. In extra time and with the contest looking as if it was going to penalties for the second consecutive match, England was awarded a penalty in the 117th minute when Beth Mead was fouled in the box. Although Azzurre goalkeeper Laura Giuliani initially saved Chloe Kelly's spot-kick, the English forward was quickest to react, stabbing the rebound home from close range and booking the Lionesses' place in the final in the most dramatic fashion. 'It is definitely a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat,' Kelly told reporters afterwards. 'These girls are brilliant – they make me so proud to be English, as every English person is right now. 'I can't believe what happened. The togetherness of this group is so special.' England had qualified for the semifinals in an extraordinary manner, scoring two late goals to come from 2-0 down to force extra time against Sweden before a dramatic penalty shootout unfolded with the Lionesses managing to keep their cool at the key moment. Italy, on the other hand, had beaten Norway in the quarterfinals but was the heavy underdog against the Women's Euros defending champion, looking for its first spot in the final since 1997. Despite the pre-match predictions, it was the Italians who struck first. A probing cross from Sofia Cantore caused all manner of confusion among the England defenders before Bonansea was able to corral the ball and smash it into the roof of the net. With the Azzurre ahead, England went on the front foot in search of the equalizer. And whether through some wayward finishing or some inspired goalkeeping from Giuliani, the Lionesses were unable to draw themselves level. That was until the 96th minute when Agyemang, who has made a habit as a substitute of providing big, late impacts at this tournament, once again displayed her proficiency off the bench. Giuliani could only parry a cross with the rebound falling to the 19-year-old's feet where she smashed the ball home. The goal sparked wild scenes of celebration, with Italy's players clearly distraught at conceding so late into the match. With the game in extra-time, both teams had chances to score again – Agyemang came closest in the 117th minute where her lob bounced off the crossbar. But with penalties looming once again for England, Mead was fouled in the box as she attempted to connect with a Lauren Hemp cross, with referee Ivana Martinčić pointing to the spot. There was even more drama though as Kelly – with her unique run-up before her penalty, comprising of a hop and a jump – had her penalty saved but managed to tap home to clinch a dramatic win. The victory continues England's success at major international tournaments, with this marking the team's third final in a row; the Lionesses won the Women's Euros on home soil in 2022 and lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023. 'I feel like it hasn't really sunk in. It was just a rollercoaster of emotions, trying to stay focused in the 120 minutes to make sure we didn't let Italy back into the game,' England defender Lucy Bronze said afterwards. 'I can imagine once I'm in the dressing room, and we're on the bus, and we get back to (the team base in) Zurich, it'll sink in that we've made it to another final. 'I don't think you'll find a team in world football with more fight and more resilience than this England team. To come back and to never give up, the same as we did in the previous game, and to fight to the end; we kept our dreams alive and then to finish it in extra time as well is unbelievable.' England will face either Spain or Germany in Sunday's final in Basel, with the two facing off in their semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich.


New York Times
33 minutes ago
- New York Times
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson joins Roma on loan
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson has joined Serie A side Roma on a season-long loan. The Athletic reported on Sunday that the 20-year-old was flying to Italy ahead of the move. The deal contains an option to make the transfer permanent. Ferguson will wear the No 11 shirt in the Italian capital. Roma had been in the market for a new striker after Tammy Abraham joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan, which will become a permanent deal if certain conditions are met. 'Evan had a challenging period across the past season and a half, and it has been one disrupted by niggling injury issues which hasn't allowed him a run of games,' said Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler. 'He is over those injuries and has come back in great shape. Now he really wants to play regularly. This is an exciting opportunity in a strong league and with the prospect of European football. 'We wish Evan well for the season ahead and will be watching his progress closely throughout the season.' Advertisement Roma finished fifth in the league last season, earning qualification for the Europa League. Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing for his season as the club's head coach after spending nine years at Atalanta. Ferguson will become the first Irish player to ever play for the three-time Serie A champions. ✍ Evan Ferguson is a new Roma player! 🐺 📄 — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) July 23, 2025 He spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at West Ham United, reuniting him with former Brighton head coach Graham Potter, but only made eight appearances for the side. Ferguson joined Brighton in 2021 from Irish club Bohemians. He record eight goals and assists in 19 Premier League games during his breakout 2022-23 season, but the following season was disrupted by injury and he did not score for nearly a year between November 2023 and October 2024. The striker has been capped 20 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring five goals, after making his debut as an 18-year-old in November 2022. Greek strikers Stefanos Tzimas, who was signed in January, and Charalampos Kostoulas have arrived at Brighton this summer, while Joao Pedro left for Chelsea in a deal worth in excess of £50million. ()