Thursday, July 4, 2024 05:40 PM
France starts Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win over Austria. Deschamps celebrates 100th win, Mbappe injured, Kante's return crucial.
France kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Austria in a thrilling Group D encounter. The match, which saw manager Didier Deschamps celebrate his 100th win with the team, was filled with excitement and drama.
The decisive moment came just before halftime when an own goal by Max Wober of Austria gave France the lead. Despite missing several scoring opportunities, star player Mbappe played a crucial role until he had to leave the field due to a broken nose following a collision.
Deschamps expressed concern for Mbappe's injury, highlighting the importance of his presence for the team's success. The victory put France on level terms with the Netherlands in the group standings, setting the stage for an intense competition ahead.
Under the guidance of coach Ralf Rangnick, Austria presented a tough challenge for the French side. Rangnick praised his team's effort despite the loss, acknowledging France's superiority on the day.
The match could have taken a different turn if Austria's shot by Christoph Baumgartner had hit the target just before France's goal, but it narrowly missed after a deflection by France's goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France displayed renewed energy in the second half, with Marcus Thuram testing Austria's goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. The return of Kante proved vital for France after Mbappe's injury, as he played a key role in thwarting Austria's attacking moves.
Kante, reflecting on the win and his comeback, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and stressed the need for greater efficiency in the upcoming matches.
France's victory over Austria in their Euro 2024 opener sets the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. With manager Deschamps reaching a milestone win and the team showing resilience in the face of challenges, fans can expect more thrilling performances from Les Bleus in the coming matches.