FRANCE defeated Austria 1-0 to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign – but the win came at a cost for star man Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe was forced off late on after suffering a broken nose following a horror collision which left him covered in blood.
The superstar – who has joined Real Madrid – set up the only goal after his cross was turned in for an own goal.
Deschamps: Mbappe broken nose
Didier Deschamps told media in France that Kylian Mbappe has suffered a broken nose.
He said: “Yes, Kylian Mbappé has probably broken his nose.
“Apparently the nose is not good at all.
“So we’ll see. It’s obviously the bad point of the evening. Even if it’s just his nose it’s annoying for us.”
Credit: Rex How Group D is looking
Both France and Netherlands underway with a win.
And they face each other on Friday night!
How Kylian Mbappe broke his nose
The French talisman bravely leapt to head home from a free-kick but connected with the shoulder of Austria defender Kevin Danso.
France coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed it was a broken nose, with Mbappe being assessed in hospital.
Credit: Getty
More from Deschamps on Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe will now have to wear a mask to continue playing in the tournament after Deschamps explained he likely did break his nose.
Speaking after the win, he said: “Yes, Kylian Mbappe has probably broken his nose.
“His nose is not good at all. So we will see.”
Credit: Reuters Mbappe set to wear a mask
It is expected Kylian Mbappe will have to wear a mask for the rest of Euro 2024 now his broken nose injury has been confirmed.
And he will have a race to be ready for France’s next clash against the Netherlands on Friday with huge swelling set from tomorrow morning.
Credit: Rex Match report
France were beaten black and bleu by Austria but battled through to being with a win.
Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose as Austria dished out a kicking but were undone by Maximilian Wober’s own-goal.
It was not a vintage France display, Austria ensured that through their mixture of tough love and tireless work off the ball.
They could be a threat if they spend more time playing rather than brawling.
Didier Deschamps had joked that all of his players were handsome chaps ahead of their opener – and it seemed their opponents were intent on denting their good looks in Dusseldorf.
Up next
Well, it’ll be interesting to see what happens now with Mbappe.
A face mask is likely but will he be available next time out?
Time will tell. Here are the remaining fixtures in Group D.
- 21/06: Poland vs Austria (Berlin, 5pm)
- 21/06: Netherlands vs France (Leipzig, 8pm)
- 25/06: Netherlands vs Austria (Berlin, 5pm)
- 25/06: France vs Poland (Dortmund, 5pm)
Confirmed
Didier Deschamps has told media in France that Kylian Mbappe has suffered a broken nose.
He said: “Yes, Kylian Mbappé has probably broken his nose.
“Apparently the nose is not good at all.
“So we’ll see. It’s obviously the bad point of the evening. Even if it’s just his nose it’s annoying for us.”
How we stand
Here’s Group B then after matchday one reaches its conclusion.
Netherlands with the advantage but all to play for.
100 up
Tonight was Didier Deschamps’ 100th win as France manager.
If he reaches a handful more than that here, it’ll be another successful tournament.
Kant touch him
Gary Neville reckons N’Golo Kante was easily the best player on the park tonight.
And the match observer agreed, making the former Chelsea midfielder tonight’s man of the match.
Fellow ITV pundit Roy Keane added: “He was brilliant. He’s got that vast experience. We talk about him breaking the play up but it’s the other side of his game too.
“His passing was sharp. We know he covers the ground well but his decision making was excellent and he was neat and tidy.
“He makes runs forward. He looked a younger version of himself, he was excellent.”
Lacklustre France…
Shades of the England performance from Sunday.
Yes, great to scrape a win in the opening game. But it was far from convincing with bigger and tougher assignments to come.
Match stats
An enormous 18 fouls from Austria across the 90 minutes – and there’s more than a few the referee let go too.
Austria with more possession too, showing their aggression on and off the ball.
Broken nose…
We’ll hear more from the French camp shortly.
But this does NOT look good for Kylian Mbappe.
A battle
France certainly know they were in a game. And there’ll be a few sore bodies in the morning.
Austria were aggressive with and without the ball and make it uncomfortable for France on the night.
They’ll be ruing the OG that proved the crucial moment of the game.
Kylian Mbappe’s seemingly broken nose will get a lot of headlines tomorrow. Just how bad could that be….
He also missed an incredible chance with just the keeper to beat to score his first ever Euros goal.
France start with a win!
FULL TIME!
France scramble over the line to start Euro 2024 with a win!
Austria 0-1 France
Austria 0-1 France
98. Maignan punches clear but it’ll come back in again.
Camavinga heads this one away and Thuram is away on the counter, driving up towards the Austria box.
He opts to try and run down time….
Austria 0-1 France
98. Austria corner as we go into the final minute!
Austria 0-1 France
97. Huge moment for Giroud!
Kolo Muani is sent in behind and into the box down the right.
He cuts it back for Giroud eight yards out and he misses his kick altogether with just the keeper to beat and Austria scramble it away.
Austria 0-1 France
95. Real, frantic end to the game here. Austria throwing bodies forward in search of the equaliser.
France defending well enough to this point.
Austria 0-1 France
92. Giroud tripped by Danso just inside the Austria half.
Danso is shown the latest yellow card.
Austria 0-1 France
91. Wimmer goes to ground inside the France box holding his face and looking for a penalty.
He looks to have headed Hernandez’s arm rather than the other way about. No penalty.
Austria 0-1 France
90. NINE MINUTES added on.
Austria 0-1 France
89. France double change as Mbappe is forced off.
This is a major concern for France…
- OFF: Mbappe & Griezmann
- ON: Giroud & Fofana
Austria 0-1 France
89. France playing with 10 men at the minute and are waiting to bring on a sub.
The ball goes out but the referee DOESN’T stop the game to allow the subs, for some reason.
So Mbappe just walks back on the pitch and goes to ground once again to stop the play. He’ll get a yellow card for that but it will allow the subs to be made.
Crazy from the referee there.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
