MATT BARLOW: Kylian Mbappe helped beat Marine Le Pen’s National Rally… now France’s main man has his sights set on the Spanish at Euro 2024

Now that Kylian Mpabbe has had significant influence on the French elections, he will attempt to change the course of Euro 2024 with his next ploy.

Spain are the best team in the tournament and look set to become champions with a three-goal haul in the first half of the opening match against Croatia. But such things can change.

Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National party looked set to dominate the French National Assembly until Mbappé and co. sprang into action.

Marcus Thuram, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate and Aurelien Tchouameni were among the others who joined their leader in calling on young voters to rise up and drive extremists “out of the gates”.

When the results were announced on Sunday, turnout for the second round of voting was the highest since 1981. Rassemblement National had been defeated and was now in third place, while a left-wing coalition had taken power.

“The relief is equal to the worries of the past weeks, it is immense,” Kounde wrote on social media. “Long live diversity,” Thuram wrote. “A great victory,” Konate wrote. “The victory of the people,” Tchouameni wrote.

Mbappe did not have to deal with the media on the eve of the semi-final as Didier Deschamps was determined to keep his players focused on the task of fending off Spain and reaching Sunday’s final in Berlin.

Adrien Rabiot, who took on the role, said: ‘We were obviously concerned about the outcome of the election. We also have other things on our minds. Some players were active on social media. We didn’t speak collectively, but many people felt relief.

‘Sports and politics don’t mix well. We’ve reached the semi-finals and we need to put politics aside for a moment. We told people to go and vote and many voted. It was a democratic decision. I’m a footballer and now it’s time to leave the analysis and whether it’s good or bad to the experts.’

Mbappe (right) has previously encouraged people to vote to stop Marine Le Pen (right)

The former PSG star has yet to score a goal from open play in the tournament

As for their semi-final battle on Tuesday in Munich, the French are only too happy to agree that Spain are the losing side.

“I don’t try to put them under pressure,” said Deschamps, who looked a bit like him. “But they are the team with the best European Championships, who leave the best impression on everyone after every game.”

France have made it this far in the competition thanks to a strong defensive unit protected by an industrious and physically demanding midfield. They have conceded just one goal, a penalty against Poland in the group, and have shown little va-va-voom in attack, with their three goals coming from a Mbappe penalty and two own goals.

“If you’re bored, watch another game, that’s fine with me,” Deschamps said, responding to a Swedish reporter’s accusation that his team was boring. “You don’t have to watch it, but this is the European Championship and we have the chance to make a lot of French men and women happy at a difficult time for our country. I’m sorry if the Swedes are bored with our football, but I don’t really care.”

Yet most in the French camp accept that they are keen to summon some extra creativity. Mbappe has failed to make his usual impact, unable to maraud in the protective mask he has worn since breaking his nose in the opening match against Austria.

He was taken off in extra time in the quarter-final against Portugal for Deschamps. He said he was suffering from fatigue due to a back problem that affected his fitness towards the end of the season at Paris Saint-Germain. He also had pain and discomfort in his face.

“His field of vision is being modified by the mask,” said the France coach. “He will have to get used to it. He will have to wear the mask for weeks, maybe months. The bruise is gone, the swelling has gone down and his nose feels stronger. I am convinced that Kylian is in the right state of mind, like all the other players.”

France have reached the last four but have not been particularly impressive so far

The return of Rabiot from suspension, likely at the expense of Eduardo Camavinga, could restore balance and Ousmane Dembele, who was impressive on the bench against Portugal, is tipped as a replacement for the troubled Antoine Griezmann.

“It would be easier if we had Antoine and Kylian at their best, which clearly hasn’t been the case,” said Juventus midfielder Rabiot. “Maybe their legs aren’t as fresh as they could be, but we have blind faith in them. We know they are players who can change a game at any moment.”

Spain will be without Pedri, who was injured against Germany, and two of their four defenders are suspended. Dani Carvajal was sent off late in the quarter-final and Robin Le Normand, one of two French-born defenders in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, was shown a yellow card, which means he will not be able to play.

Spain have looked like the team to beat since the opening round of the championship

Nacho, who was expected to replace Le Normand, is another doubter. Jesus Navas, the former Manchester City winger turned full-back who is still going strong at 38, could replace Carvajal and take on Mbappe.

Will the changes throw them off their sublime rhythm? They have been exceptional since their flying start. They outclassed Italy, swept Georgia off the floor and made themselves a match for Germany, although they needed a Mikel Merino goal in the 119th minute to avoid the danger of a penalty shootout against the hosts.

“Now Mbappe,” the Spanish newspapers roared after that victory. The French captain is on his way to Real Madrid, a move that would be a shot of confidence for Spanish football. Beating his French team would be another story, but they will be wary of the man in the mask with a habit of changing the future.