Austria 0-1 France: Mbappe suffers broken nose as Les Bleus battle past Austria
France secured their 100th victory under manager Didier Deschamps, defeating a tenacious Austria side 1-0 in their opening Group D match at Euro 2024 on Monday, but talisman Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose.
It was far from a vintage performance, and France needed an own goal from Austria defender Max Wober shortly before halftime to secure the three points, bringing them level with the Netherlands, whom they face next on Friday.
However, three years after being eliminated from Euro 2020 in the last 16 by Switzerland on penalties, France provided enough evidence to suggest they will go much deeper in Germany, with returning midfielder N'Golo Kante magnificent.
It was a mixed night for captain Mbappe, who was still looking for his first goal in a European Championship after some glaring misses and was replaced late on with blood oozing from his nose after an aerial clash.
He left the stadium in an ambulance for X-rays, and the French Football Federation later confirmed that he had broken his nose and would need a mask made.
"He's got a really bad nose," said Deschamps. "We'll have to wait and see, the medical staff are dealing with it. We'll have to see what's going to be done and then how long it will take. It's very bad news for us tonight."
"Obviously, the French team with or without him, this is not the same thing. I hope he can be there," added Deschamps, whose record now stands at 100 wins, 30 draws and 24 losses in his near 12 years at the helm.
In his 80th game for Les Bleus, Mbappe's wing wizardry broke Austria's resistance in the 38th minute, when he dribbled past three defenders and cut back a cross, which Wober could only head past goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.
However, Mbappe squandered an early chance and a golden opportunity in the 54th minute, surprising everyone in the stadium as he accelerated clean through on goal, picked his spot, but guided his shot wide, responding with a wry smile.
Mbappe, whose missed penalty in a shootout against Switzerland three years ago condemned his team to a shock defeat, collided with Kevin Danso's shoulder late in the game as he attempted to meet a cross into the Austria box.
He needed treatment and was then booked for laying down on the turf immediately after returning to the pitch before being substituted in a chaotic finish to a match that was never pretty but always compelling.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick promised his in-form side, who had only lost one of their last 16 games, that they would go head to head with France, and they kept his word.
Their relentless high-pressing and tackling never faltered, and with their red-clad fans cheering them on, they remained in the game until the end of a lengthy period of stoppage time.
"All in all the French earned the win, but that we were chasing the equaliser throughout speaks for the performance of our team," Rangnick said.
Austria could have taken the lead shortly before France scored when captain Marcel Sabitzer deftly touched a Michael Gregoritsch cross into the path of Christoph Baumgartner, whose shot was deflected wide by France keeper Mike Maignan.
The French were more dynamic after the break, with Pentz making a good save on Marcus Thuram, but the pre-tournament favourites were too often wasteful in promising positions.
While Mbappe's injury hampered France's victory, the return of 2018 World Cup winner Kante, a surprise inclusion in the squad after a two-year absence, resulted in a magnificent display in the heart of midfield.
Despite their hard work and possession, Austria struggled to create many clear chances, and man-of-the-match Kante was frequently the obstacle.
"It starts well. Everything was not perfect but we have the result we wanted. There are solid foundations. We have to be more efficient," he said.
"It makes me happy to be back. Things have changed but it feels good to get back into this jersey."
SportsLigue