Category: France

France got their European Championship off to a winning start as they beat Austria 1-0 as Kylian Mbappe was taken off with a bloodied, busted nose.

Les Bleus set the tempo from the first whistle, although chances were few and far between, apart from Mbappe seeing a low drive towards the near post tipped out for a corner.

At the other end, Ralf Rangnick’s side offered little from an attacking sense until Christoph Baumgartner was denied at close range by Mike Maignan, and that came only two minutes before the deadlock was broken when Maximilian Wober inadvertently flicked Mbappe’s cross into his own net.

It came as no surprise that Mbappe was the main attacking threat, but it was a huge shock when he curled one chance wide when sent through one-on-one after the break.

That proved to be his final real chance, as the striker was withdrawn with a facial injury late on, and while Austria remained tight at the back, they equally struggled to create too much at the other end as their campaign ultimately got off to a losing start.

Two-time European Champions France were pre-tournament favourites for a reason, and they rarely had to get out of second gear to beat Austria in a performance that suggests there is much more to come.

However, if they are to win the tournament, Kylian Mbappe will be central to their chances, and the fact he was withdrawn late on with what looked like a broken nose is somewhat worrying for Didier Deschamps.

Blood was pouring from the captain’s face after he collided with Kevin Danso’s shoulder, and it took a lot of physio attention before he was eventually withdrawn. Les Bleus will be hoping it does not result in a spell on the sidelines.

It takes a lot to upstage players of the calibre of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, but Theo Hernandez was the star of the show in Dusseldorf.

The France number 22 was rarely troubled from a defensive point of view, but it was from an attacking point of view that he really shone, with Austria struggling to get a handle on him.

The full-back got forward time and again and created a plethora of chances for his team, including two sublime crosses that were begging to be touched home, only to drift across goal to safety.

Austria: Pentz 7; Posch 6, Danso 7, Wober 6, Mwene 7; Laimer 7, Seiwald 6, Sabitzer 6, Grillitsch 5, Baumgartner 7; Gregoritsch 6. Subs: Wimmer 7, Arnautovic 6, Trauner 6, Prass n/a, Schmid n/a

France: Maignan 6; Kounde 7, Saliba 7, Upamecano 7, Theo Hernandez 8; Dembele 6, Kante 8, Griezmann 6, Rabiot 6, Thuram 6; Mbappe 7. Subs: Kolo Muani 6, Camavinga 6, Giroud n/a, Fofana n/a

36’ BAUMGARTNER COMES CLOSE. That’s the best chance of the game so far, and what a move by Austria! An out-swinging Michael Gregoritsch cross is knocked down by Marcel Sabitzer to Christoph Baumgartner, who should score, but can’t bundle home from close range as Maignan saves!

38’ GOAL! AUSTRIA 0-1 FRANCE (Max Wober own goal). France finally break the deadlock, and Mbappe is at the heart of it of course! A magnificent burst of pace to drift past three defenders before crossing into the middle, where Wober accidentally flicks into his own net. 1-0!

55’ MBAPPE MISSES A SITTER! That is a collector’s item, it really is! Sheer pace from Mbappe again to break away from the defender. Wober, tracking back, can’t get close. He tries to bend into the corner and you’re just waiting for the net to ripple, but it flies wide! What a let off for Austria!

88’ PROBLEM FOR MBAPPE. The striker has been down for some time here after taking a Danso shoulder to his face. Blood is pouring from his nose. It doesn’t look good for him. He is eventually withdrawn, replaced by Olivier Giroud. How crucial could that be for France?

• Austria had not lost in seven games before tonight, claiming victory in six of those games
• France remain unbeaten in their opening group game at a European Championships, winning seven times from ten attempts