Hugo Ekitike criticized for 'disappearing' on France debut despite assist for Kylian Mbappe

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Hugo Ekitike made his first senior international start on Friday night as he lined up alongside Kylian Mbappe in France's win over Azerbaijan. Eurosport handed Mbappe a 5.5/10 in its player ratings from the game, writing: "He disappeared during the first half-hour, giving in to a kind of ease.

But he initially served as an intelligent relay for the opening goal before coming out of his shell in the second half. Generally enterprising, he made a gross error on a counterattack where his run lost Mbappe." "In short...

A successful first start, although not brilliant." Ekitike grew into the game (Image: 2025 Xavier Laine) Le Parisien, meanwhile, said Ekitike produced "rare flashes." Also handing him a 5.5/10, Le Parisien journalist Benjamin Quarez wrote: "The Blues initially struggled to get a hold of him, before he gradually raised his game. He opened up a good path to goal, combined for Mbappe's goal and hit the post with a cross shot that was well underway." Get French Football News handed Ekitike a 6/10, saying: Quiet for large periods of the first half, the Liverpool forward struggled to get involved but was nonetheless a focal point.