France debuts with victory against Türkiye under Zidane, but with Mbappé injured

The beginning of a new era for France, with Zinedine Zidane on the bench as the new coach, began with a laborious, hard-fought victory against Turkey (0-1) and with a worrying injury to its scorer and captain, Kylian Mbappé.

The Real Madrid star, who returned by decision of the new coach to the left wing, with limited participation and without great opportunities, was, however, decisive due to his status as a scorer. But he left worrying symptoms for his team and the Madrid team.

Mbappe, who broke the balance at the beginning of the second half when he received a pass from Michael Olisé and, with his right foot, beat Ugurcan Çakir from the edge, came out of the play injured. He limped immediately and grimaced. He touched his left knee. He hurt himself. There was no rival or forced action. It was after shooting.

He was treated and returned to the field, but shortly afterwards he fell to the ground to be replaced. The hands on the face and it looks ugly. He left shortly before match time and made way for Desiré Doue.

Until then the clash had been rough. With difficulties for France. Governed more by Türkiye, with Arda Guler in charge of the Ottoman team. Everything happened through his boots. The direction and origin of each dangerous play by the local team was his.

Türkiye had been undefeated in nine games at home in the Nations League and was hoping to make up for its bad World Cup. Vincenzo Montella's team gave a good impression against Zidane's team, which was returning to action after five years away from the bench.

Mike Maignan supported France at times. The blues threatened in dribs and drabs. A little from Mbappé, another from Rayan Cherki, who took forever to execute a shot in the area, intercepted by Merih Demiral, and, above all, Michael Olise, who had the clearest chance on the brink of half-time.

Quality. He received in his zone, on the right, made space and executed a shot with effect and intention that aimed at the net, but goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir appeared to make a stop that seemed impossible.

Türkiye, with Guler inspired and at the helm, could not find a receiver to finish the play. Ferdi Kadioglu could have scored with a header, but it was innocent and he finished into Maignan's hands.

The clash became agitated in the second half. Turkey was able to take advantage of a corner taken by Arda Guler that found the arrival of Abdulkerim Bardacki, alone and at close range, which led to the great save of the night, from Maignan, the savior.

Then came Mbappé's goal and his injury and the prominence of the Milan goalkeeper that appeased the Ottoman reaction. The changes, that of Michael Olise, also with physical problems, and France's containment exercise to maintain their advantage.

With the duel up in the air, France found some relief five minutes from the end, when the local goalkeeper, outside the area, resolved a one-on-one with Bradley Barcola with an arm. The referee went to VAR and sent off Ugurcan Çakir.

Turkey was left with ten and France saw the outlook clearer, the triumph and the beginning of their new era, with Zidane on the bench and with the uncertainty of the extent of Mbappé's injury.

Technical sheet:

0 - Türkiye: Ugurcan Çakir; Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakci; Oguz Aydin (Eren Elmali, d. 76), Salih Ozcan, Ismail Yuksek (Melih Kabasakal, d. 89), Ferdi Kadioglu (Denis Gul, d. 93); Arda Guler, Can Yilmaz Uzun (Muhammed Keerem Akturkoglu, d. 76); and Baris Yilmaz (Altay Bayindir, d. 89).

1 - France: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert; Rayan Cherki (Eduardo Camavinga, d. 79), Kouadio Koné, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise (Bradley Barcola, m. 79), Kylian Mbappé (Desire Doue, m. 59) and Ousmane Dembélé (Esteban Lepaul, m.90).

Goal: 0-1, m. 54: Kylian Mbappe

Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER). He sent off Ugurcan Çakir with a direct red card (m. 85) and showed a yellow card to Arda Guler and Salih Ozcan, from Turkey, and Dalot Upamecano, Kouadio Kone and Esteban Lepaul, from France.