And yet, his greatness is not limited to goals. Against Morocco, he missed a penalty, saw the amazing Yacine Bounou deny him a goal again and again and had to wait an entire hour to find a way to break through Africa's best defense. He didn't get angry, he didn't rush, and he didn't lose his confidence. In the 60th minute, with a flash of inspiration from outside the area, he "hid" the shot behind the defenders' bodies and sent the ball where even Bounou couldn't reach.

This particular moment sums up what Mbappe represents today. Explosiveness, imagination, personality and the composure of a footballer who doesn't allow even failure to disorient him. It is no coincidence that Didier Deschamps, when asked about the missed penalty, responded with a phrase that perfectly describes his captain: “Kylian never doubts himself.”

He transmits this same spirit to his teammates. Ousmane Dembele, who had not yet found the consistency of his performances with Paris Saint-Germain, followed Mbappe’s urging to move into the central corridor and six minutes later “locked in” the victory with an exemplary finish. “He told me to stay in the center, because we will find space on the counterattack. He was right,” he revealed after the match, showing that the France captain now functions as a natural leader on the pitch.

Equally important is the contribution of the other forwards. Michael Olise is developing into one of the tournament's leading creators, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola offer speed and freshness from the wings, while everyone seems to be serving a common purpose. There are no leading roles, no rivalries. There is only the collective pursuit of victory.

This is perhaps Didier Deschamps' greatest achievement. The coach who built the greatest successes of his career on defensive discipline, understood that this generation has an attacking talent that should not be limited, but unleashed. He managed to unite different personalities, creating a team where each makes the other better.

With 16 goals in five matches, France has the most productive attack of the tournament and sends a clear message to every opponent. Spain, who await them in the big semi-final, know that they will not only find Mbappe against them. They will find an attacking foursome that is perhaps in its most mature moment, a team that scores in many ways and a coach who has managed to transform four great footballers into a harmonious football orchestra.

And when such an orchestra finds rhythm, it is difficult to stop before reaching the top of the world.