Mbappe’s Bloodied Exit Mars France’s Euro 2024 Opener Against Austria

France kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a gritty 1-0 win over Austria, but the victory came at a cost as captain Kylian Mbappe left the match bloodied and bruised—fueling concerns for the tournament favorites.

Own Goal Decider

Les Bleus relied on an own goal by Austria’s Max Wöber just before halftime to secure the three points. Mbappe, dazzling in his 80th international appearance, created the chance with a mesmerizing dribble past three defenders, forcing Wöber’s accidental header into the net.

Mbappe’s Mixed Night

Despite his assist, Mbappe missed a golden chance to seal the game in the second half, shooting wide in a one-on-one. The drama deepened late on when he collided with an opponent, exiting with a suspected broken nose. Coach Didier Deschamps confirmed: \"[His] nose is not good at all… it's the big negative point for us tonight.\"

Deschamps’ Milestone

The win marked Deschamps’ 100th victory as France’s coach. While praising his team’s resilience, he admitted: \"It was not perfect… but it’s good to start with a win.\" France now eyes deeper tournament success—but all eyes remain on Mbappe’s recovery.

Reference(s):

France beat battling Austria as Mbappe exits Euro 2024 game bloodied

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