Randal Kolo Muani is only nominated for France’s World Cup squad because Leipzig’s star Christopher Nkunku is injured. In the semifinals against Morocco, the Eintracht Frankfurt striker becomes a hero. His first goal for the national team finally brings them into the final.
A football match lasts 90 minutes, and at this World Cup it can even be 100 minutes. But Randal Kolo Muani only needs 44 seconds to make his mark in the history books. And to finally shoot France into the final. “It’s magical, I have no words to describe it. We have to do everything we can to make it to the end,” says Kolo Muani on French TV station TF1. “I’m still in my dreams and having trouble waking up.”
His very personal dream begins in the 79th minute of the World Cup semi-final against Morocco: the Eintracht Frankfurt striker is on the sidelines ready to be substituted. France boss Didier Deschamps sends him on for Ousmane Dembélé, a courageous decision. He chooses the 24-year-old of all people, whom he only nominated for the World Cup squad because Leipzig’s star Christopher Nkunku was injured shortly before the start. Before the World Cup, he played just two games with a total of ten minutes for the Équipe Tricolore and only played in the third, no longer relevant group game against Tunisia at this tournament. This striker is set to replace Dembélé, who is only a year older but much more highly decorated. With the score of a more than shaky 1-0 – France swims, Morocco is pushing for an equalizer in order to at least force extra time against the reigning world champions.
It is also noteworthy because 14 minutes earlier, France’s record goalscorer Olivier Giroud had to leave the field for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, who was also quite inexperienced internationally. There are now two Bundesliga professionals in France’s striker for two stars. Not Deschamp’s worst choice, just 44 seconds after Kolo Muani came on.
The man who moved from FC Nantes to Frankfurt a good five months ago is the executor of a combination that the Gladbacher initiates. Thuram passes the ball in the penalty area to Kylian Mbappé, who dribbles out three opponents like a superstar and puts the ball – garnished with a bit of luck – in front of the goal. There, Kolo Muani is in the right place at the right time and only has to get the ball into the goal. It’s his first touch of the game, it’s almost a goal. The key to 2-0, the entry into the World Cup final.
“It’s good that I followed Kylian because he does all the work. I can be proud of my positioning,” said the scorer, who was buried under a bunch of cheers within seconds. “Right now I’m not realizing it. We’ll all realize it tomorrow morning.”
Only two players scored faster than the 24-year-old after coming on as a substitute at a World Cup: Richard Morales scored 16 seconds for Uruguay at the 2002 World Cup, while Ebbe Sand was just ten seconds slower for Denmark at the World Cup four years earlier. “After I made it 2-0 we cleared our heads, of course I feel great,” said Kolo Muani after his first international goal.
After his victory, Deschamps explains the supposedly courageous substitution: “His strength is his speed, that’s why I brought him. It’s great for him and for the team.” Kolo Muani already has a terrific six months behind him, the World Cup will make him even more famous. “He’s rioting at the World Cup,” tweeted the proud Eintracht after the game. Kolo Muani has already scored five goals in 14 league appearances for the Bundesliga club and played ten more. In the Champions League and in the DFB Cup, he has already entered the list of scorers.
Eintracht does not have to worry that the newcomer, who came on a free transfer and signed until 2027, will be praised directly. “Our plan is that Randal Kolo Muani stays in Frankfurt for at least another year. He feels very comfortable with Eintracht. Randal has the perfect location for his development here,” Kolo Muani’s consulting agency said just a few days ago at Sport1 . The striker himself also said: “At Eintracht, I was shown the prospect very early on that I could gain match practice and develop further in a family environment.”
In Frankfurt he quickly ousted Rafael Borré, who was so celebrated last season, from the starting XI. Not only is Deschamps well-known for his speed, he has also proven his qualities as an assist provider. On the other hand, his goal instinct is still expandable. But the fact that he learns quickly there too is shown by his very personal dream at this World Cup.