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 coach Ralf Rangnick on their Euro 2024 opener:
“With France we might have the strongest opponents of all right at the start [of the tournament]. They are the absolute favourites for the title, not only at this EURO, but also in two years at the World Cup.
“France surely must be the nation with the highest quality. Even if the starting XI are injured, the 11 substitutes are not much weaker. So the first match will be a huge challenge.
“Afterwards, we’ll see. We’ll only know our next opponents in March after the play-off games. And then the third match is against the Netherlands.
“If you want to get through that group, you’ll need at least four, but maybe even five or six points, and we’re aware of that situation.”
75 mins - LATEST: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Follow all the action from Frankfurt LIVE here:
Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE: Euro 2024 latest score and goal updates
Belgium and Slovakia meet in this Group E match in Frankfurt as both sides hope to start their Euro 2024 campaign strongly
France boss Didier Deschamps on William Saliba:
“William is one of the very best defenders in the Premier League. I want him to do what he does very well at Arsenal. He had a very, very good season.
“He played many matches, especially with his partner Gabriel, and they were a fundamental part of what Arsenal did this season, particularly in the defensive aspect.
“With us, he has not had the same playing time. There are automatisms which develop through playing matches together. You have repetition and understanding.
“With a national team, we always have so little time, but now they have the possibility of living together for a few weeks and that is even better.”
Will Saliba start tonight?
Where does France’s 2024 kit rank?!
Euro 2024 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated
A needlessly detailed look at the kits on offer at this summer’s European Championship in Germany
HALF-TIME - LATEST: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Follow all the action from Frankfurt LIVE here:
Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE: Euro 2024 latest score and goal updates
Belgium and Slovakia meet in this Group E match in Frankfurt as both sides hope to start their Euro 2024 campaign strongly
What happened in the other Group D fixture?
The Netherlands snatched a late win against Poland yesterday - here’s Rich Jolly’s match report:
Weghorst’s perfect timing to reprise his role as Netherlands’ tournament super sub
Poland 1-2 Netherlands: Gakpo equalised after Buksa’s opener before the Dutch impact sub scored late on
Kylian Mbappe urges youth to vote against ‘extremes’ in French elections
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Emmanuel Macron called a snap election after heavy defeats to the far-right National Rally in last week’s European Union vote, with Marine Le Pen’s party leading opinion polls ahead of the vote
Is Austria vs France on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture online tonight
France kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria as tournament favourites in their Group D opener in Dusseldorf.
Les Bleues were stunned in the last-16 by Switzerland at Euro 2020 before going on to reach the World Cup final in Qatar to continue their impressive recent record at major tournaments under Didier Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappe will be looking to score his first goal at the Euros after shining at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups - the new Real Madrid forward missed the decisive penalty as France were knocked out three years ago.
France’s strength and depth and tournament record should see them progress from a tricky Group D, which includes the Netherlands and Poland, but Austria have been transformed under Ralf Rangnick and are ones to watch.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group D fixture.
Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE: Euro 2024 latest score and goal updates
Ukraine and Romania are also part of the same quartet in Germany
Austria vs France LIVE: Latest Euro 2024 updates
Predicted line-ups
Austria: Pentz; Posch, Lienhart, Trauner, Mwene; Laimer, Seiwald; Wimmer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Gregoritsch
France: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández; Griezmann, Kanté, Rabiot; Dembélé, Thuram, Mbappé
Austria vs France LIVE: Latest Euro 2024 updates
What is the team news?
France head coach Didier Deschamps has an abundance of options at his disposal. The big questions surround whether he opts for Arsenal’s William Saliba or Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate alongside Dayot Upamecano in defence, whether Adrian Rabiot is selected alongside N’Golo Kante and Antoine Griezmann in midfield, and if Marcus Thuram starts up front alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Austria have been hit by a couple of injury blows ahead of the Euros, with David Alaba sidelined for the tournament. The Real Madrid defender is with the squad as a travelling captain, while Xaver Schlager was ruled out as well. In midfield, Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer will run the engine room.
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