France narrowly beat Greece 1-0 thanks to Kilian McBarbie's penalty kick in a thrilling Group B match in the UEFA Europa League play-offs at dawn on Tuesday. The 24-year-old striker struck it to set the tone of the match. With a total of 54 goals for club and country so far, McBarbie is now alongside Manchester City's Ahmadou Salah in a battle of the new generation of soccer kings.
France's victory was a thrilling one, with striker Kishavin receiving urgent medical attention for a head injury in the 51st minute of the match after a vicious kick from a Greek player in the penalty area. The referee decided to award a penalty kick. Although McBarbie's penalty kick was parried by the goalkeeper, the referee decided to award a heavy penalty given that the Greek player was offside before the penalty kick was taken. This time, McBarbee did not give his opponents any chances and sent a powerful shot into the net, helping France remain unbeaten with a score of 1-0 and win all four consecutive matches in the tournament.
McBarbie's goal was not only a victory for France, it was also of extraordinary significance. He has scored a combined 54 goals for club and country this season, overtaking the late French soccer legend Fontaine for the most goals in a single season in French history. According to Squawka, McBarbie and Salah have both scored a combined 54 goals in all competitions for club and country in 2022/23, and the pair are being touted as successors to Lionel Messi and Crowe in a quiet, silent battle.
