The French team did not miss its entry into the European Nations Championship. In Düsseldorf, Monday June 17, the Blues won by the smallest score (1-0) thanks to an own goal from the Austrian Maximilian Wöber. They occupy first place in Group D tied with the Netherlands, their next opponents.
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The important thing is to get into your competition well. The most severe will perhaps say thatGermany and theSpaintwo other favorites of this Euro 2024, made a better impression for their first match. For the French team, it was above all about winning, a few days after a disappointing final preparation match against Canada (0-0). Mission accomplished for Didier Deschamps’ men, victorious over Austria at the Düsseldorf Arena.
With William Saliba in central defense associated with Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot in the midfield with the returning N’Golo Kanté and Antoine Griezmann, and an attacking trio composed of Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, France started its match with application. More in control, the French selection showed itself calmly against an Austria with a rougher and rougher game.
Imperial Maignan, unlucky Wöber
If captain Mbappé offered himself the first opportunity after 8 minutes, it was the Austrians who obtained the best opportunity of the first act. Marcel Sabitzer took the entire defense behind with a ball deflected well without control towards Christoph Baumgartner. The attacking midfielder presented himself against goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and it was the Frenchman who emerged victorious from this duel by deflecting the Austrian attempt off target. It was a close call.
But it is also on this type of crucial intervention that the fate of a match can be decided. Austria could have taken the lead… it was ultimately they who gave in, barely two minutes later. And what a twist of fate: on a cross from Mbappé, Maximilian Wöber tried to repel the danger with his head but ultimately sent the ball into the back of his own net (38th).
Mbappé touched in the nose at the end of the match
In the second half, Kylian Mbappé quickly had the break ball in his feet. Starting in depth, the new Real Madrid striker presented himself alone against Patrick Pentz, the Austrian goalkeeper. But his curled shot barely missed the target. On several occasions, the Blues had the opportunity to take cover. But when it wasn’t Pentz who intervened, the frame slipped away from Griezmann, Thuram and Dembélé.
In the last minutes, concern arose in the French camp. A little because Austria was still alive, despite its attempts without great danger. Also because Kylian Mbappé had to give up his place after a nasty blow to the face. While trying to head a ball, the captain hit the shoulder of an Austrian. With his nose bloodied and deformed, number 10 had to abandon his teammates for the last minutes. His medical monitoring will be closely scrutinized over the coming hours.
The French team did not shine with its realism but it obtained the three points it needed against Austria. There were reasons for satisfaction for coach Didier Deschamps, who was particularly able to appreciate the performance of the tireless Kanté. The Blues will undoubtedly have to raise their level on June 21 against the Netherlands, the other nation at the top of Group D with three points (2-1 victory against Poland on Sunday).