France secured a milestone 100th victory for coach Didier Deschamps by defeating a determined and well-organized Austrian team 1-0 in their opening Group D match at Euro 2024.
However, the triumph was marred by a concerning injury to their star player, Kylian Mbappe, on Monday.
The match wasn’t a standout performance from France, as they relied on an own goal by Austrian defender Max Wöber shortly before halftime to clinch the three points. Despite this, three years after their disappointing exit in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, France demonstrated enough potential to suggest they could advance much further in this tournament.
The night was bittersweet for captain Mbappe, who left the field bloodied in the final minutes with a suspected broken nose, still in search of his first European Championship goal. Deschamps commented, “His nose is not good at all. It’s the big negative point for us tonight.”
In his 80th appearance for Les Bleus, the 25-year-old showcased his skill, breaking through Austria’s defense in the 38th minute. His dribble past three defenders led to Wöber’s unfortunate own goal. However, Mbappe missed a crucial opportunity to extend the lead in the 54th minute, shooting wide after a solo run.
Deschamps expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging missed chances but praising their solidity. “It was not perfect, but we were solid.
We could have been more efficient offensively, but it’s good to start with a win. There’s quality and talent, but being solid and working together is also important. We’re not going to be overconfident, but it’s a good start.”