Mbappe, France on a mission as favorites begin Euro 2024 campaign

DÜSSELDORF, Germany -- Kylian Mbappe and France have been to the last two World Cup finals but are on a mission as they begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) having endured disappointment in recent editions of the continental championship.

Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, when a teenage Mbappe announced himself on the global stage, and only lost the 2022 final on penalties after an epic battle with Argentina in Doha.

They also won the UEFA Nations League in 2021, but the European Championship is the one title that has evaded the French since Didier Deschamps became coach in 2012.

Runners-up as hosts in 2016, when they agonisingly lost the final in extra time to Portugal at a sweltering Stade de France, they have bitter memories of the last Euros three years ago.

Deschamps's side went out of the delayed Euro 2020 in the last 16, squandering a 3-1 lead before losing on penalties to Switzerland.

Mbappe missed the decisive kick and the 25-year-old, who has just signed for Real Madrid, is now hoping to make amends by leading his country to glory in Germany.

France have been European champions twice, most recently in 2000 when a 31-year-old Deschamps was captain.

"Whatever happens, he has left an indelible mark on the French national team," Mbappe said of Deschamps in an interview with regional daily Ouest-France.

"Now if he wants to make a bit more history we need to do something this summer, because the Euros is the only thing he is missing as a coach.

"After that he will have ticked every box."

France are arguably the standout candidates to lift the trophy on July 14 in Berlin, in the same Olympic Stadium where they lost the 2006 World Cup final on penalties to Italy.

They also have the Netherlands and Poland to come in Group D after Monday's clash with a much-improved Austria in Duesseldorf.

- Finding form -
France have not fully convinced in recent outings, including a goalless draw with Canada last weekend.

Nevertheless, there are explanations for that and there is hope Les Bleus will find their best form in Germany.

Deschamps has been making tactical adjustments which always require time to be assimilated.