Austria vs France LIVE: Euro 2024 result as Kylian Mbappe forced off with bloody nose
Austria 0-1 France: Les Blues got up and running with a win, but the victory was overshadowed by Mbappe’s injury after the captain left the pitch with a suspected broken nose
France overcame the potentially difficult hurdle of an in-form Austria as they got their Euro 2024 campaign up and running with a 1-0 victory courtesy of an own goal, but talisman Kylian Mbappe suffered a worrying injury.
It proved a very mixed night for France’s captain Mbappe though as he was left still searching for his first goal in a European Championship and went off bloodied late on with a suspected broken nose.
Austria, with one defeat in their last 16 matches, stood their ground and went close through Christoph Baumgartner after 37 minutes but a minute later France struck when a brilliant piece of wing play by Mbappe took him to the byline and his cross was deflected into his own net by the head of Max Wober.
Mbappe, who has never scored a European Championship goal, looked certain to break that duck after 55 minutes but shot wide when clean through and, though Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembele also went close, the 2022 World Cup runners-up could not find a second and had to endure a few defensive scares before clinching the win.
Follow all the latest news and match action in our live blog below
Austria 0-0 France
34 mins: Ousmane Dembele just too quick for Austria left back Phillipp Mwene on the byline - and the defender is the second man in the book!
Griezmann over the free-kick again... but again he can’t make it count and Austria clear at the near post!
Austria 0-0 France
31 mins: France forward Marcus Thuram down on the floor after being bodychecked by Austria defender Kevin Danso.
Nothing wrong with that in my opinion - Danso held his ground - and the referee agrees.
Game has just gone a bit stagnant in the last 10 minutes or so.
Austria 0-0 France
27 mins: Bit better from Austria in the last five minutes, which just a few glimpses of their attacking talent.
However, getting through this imposing French defence and midfield may well be tricky!
Austria 0-0 France
22 mins: Austria playmaker Florian Grillitsch is down at the moment, with the physio on the pitch to attend to him.
I think it was a challenge with Mbappe which caused what looks to be a dead-leg. He’s OK to continue it seems...
Austria 0-0 France
19 mins: Wasteful from Griezmann!
Rabiot pounces in midfield but Griezmann goes solo in the box and his shot is blocked, with Dembele speeding down the wing outside him!
Austria 0-0 France
17 mins: Austria centre-back Maximilian Wober the first name in the book for a rough challenge on Ousmane Dembele just outside the box!
No complaints can be had!
Yet Griezmann again can’t take advantage, with his cross in comfortable for keeper Pentz.
France on top, with Austria keen to be physical early on!
Austria 0-0 France
13 mins: Hernandez is such a threat down the left for France!
He’s played in on the left-side of the box and his cross is aching for a touch - but no-one is there to tap it in!
Austria need to nullify that threat a tad quicker here... Ralf Rangnick’s team are pressing pretty high early on, which is leaving plenty of space for France if they can beat the Austrian press!
Austria 0-0 France
9 mins: First chance for Kylian Mbappe!
Hernandez plays in the French captain down the left and with the angle tight, Pentz makes a good save at his near post as the ball clatters off him and into the side-netting!
Early-let off for Austria, as their keeper collects from the subsequent corner...
Austria 0-0 France
6 mins: Antoine Griezmann actually opts to cross but its comfortably cleared by Austria.
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