Kylian Mbappe produced a moment of magic – mixed with good fortune – to ensure France’s Euro 2024 campaign began with victory against stubborn Austria in Dusseldorf.
But he was also at the center of a late injury scare.
The France captain and Real Madrid’s latest “Galáctico” had a mixed night in finishing, but still made a decisive contribution to secure three important points against Ralf Rangnick’s well-drilled Austrian team.
Mbappe showed lightning pace and quick footwork to leave Austria defender Phillipp Mwene on his heels, before his cross was deflected into his own net by a header from Leeds United defender Max Wober seven minutes before half-time.
Austria wasted their best chance moments earlier when Christoph Baumgartner’s close-range shot was blocked by the feet of French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Frustration was further heightened by Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s poor decision to award a goal kick instead of a corner.
Mbappe, who saw a first-half shot well saved by Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, was an early candidate for Euro 2024 defeat after the break when he showed surprising pace to beat Wober but, with the goal at his mercy, he held his head in disbelief after shooting to the side.
The brilliant striker’s eventful night was completed when he ended up covered in blood after a painful blow to the nose following an aerial clash with Austrian defender Kevin Danso near the end – even receiving a yellow card for returning to the pitch before collapsing to the ground. then leaving.
France were not at their best but, with veteran N’Golo Kante producing a superb individual performance after two years away from the international stage, they did enough to overcome a determined Austria and set the stage for the key Group D game against old rivals. Netherlands on Friday.
France forced to work to win
France, one of the favorites for Euro 2024, deserved to win, but how they were forced to work for it by an Austrian team that showed exactly why they lost just one of their last 16 games.
Coach Didier Deschamps is embarrassed to be rich on the field and on the bench and his team will be a huge threat in this tournament, above and beyond Mbappe’s threat.
It was, however, the performance of a member of the French old guard returning to the colors after a 21-month international exile that provided the glue with a superb display of the defensive midfielder’s role.
Kante, a World Cup winner in 2018 and now playing in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ittihad, showed exactly why Deschamps was so keen to have him back in the ranks with the kind of display that has been his trademark throughout of years.
The 33-year-old took many of those years back by providing a defensive shield, awareness and composure on the ball, exemplified by the way he raced back to make up ground on Patrick Wimmer and eliminate the danger late on.
Mbappé is almost always the main attraction when France play – and was again for a number of reasons – but Kante could be alongside him at the top of the table after his display in Dusseldorf.
