Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta played the final 19 minutes as France recorded a 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
The man who scored the goal to win Crystal Palace the UEFA Conference League replaced Kylian Mbappe in the 77th minute and saw plenty of action as six minutes were added on.
Unfortunately, Mateta was unable to get on the scoresheet despite having two excellent chances to score, including a header which he powered high over the bar and a clear opportunity he scuffed at Yassine Bounou.
After the match, Arsenal star William Saliba poked fun at the former Lyon striker in the dressing room.
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Saliba tells Mateta to “focus” after France 2-0 Morocco
Mateta showed no sign of sadness despite missing a glorious chance to score his first World Cup goal, as the 29-year-old could be seen jumping around jubilantly after beating Morocco.
Saliba was not having it, jokingly telling the man born in Sevran: “It’s not the holidays yet. We carry on. Focus, guys, it’s not over. JP, focus, keep a cool head. JP, you have no aura!”
In truth, it is remarkable to see Mateta even involved in a World Cup quarter-final, replacing a player like Mbappe no less.
Many doubted whether Mateta would even play for Crystal Palace again after seeing a move to AC Milan collapse in February, and a replacement had already been signed in Jorgen Strand Larsen.
However, six goals in 16 appearances after breaking back into the team – including the strike which defeated Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final – was enough to convince Didier Deschamps.
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Should Mateta – who may leave Crystal Palace this summer – end up bringing a World Cup winner’s medal back to Copers Cope, it would represent a remarkable turnaround given where the Frenchman was at in his career before Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in February 2024.
