France begin Euro 2024 campaign with narrow 1-0 win over Austria
Maximilian Wober turns Kylian Mbappe's cross into his own net
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Netherlands beat Poland 2-1 elsewhere in Group D on Sunday
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FT: Austria 0-1 France
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Highlights: Austria 0-1 France
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FT: Austria 0-1 France
Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kylian Mbappe's performance was pretty devastating.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Leipzig midfielder Nicolas Seiwald made eight tackles against France, the most by an Austrian player in a match at a major tournament since Bernd Krauss in 1982 v Northern Ireland.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Only three Euros matches have ever ended up 1-0 with an own goal - Wales 1-0 Northern Ireland (Gareth McAuley), France 1-0 Germany (Mats Hummels) and France 1-0 Austria (Max Wober).
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If there’s such a thing as a bad victory, that’s what France have achieved. Lost their star player to injury, squandered great chances, and needed an own goal to win.
Steve, via Whatsapp
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Austria 0-1 France
At the age of 37 years and 261 days, he is also the oldest player to play for France at a Euros. Bernard Lama had the previous record in Euro 2000.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Olivier Giroud has now appeared at seven different major tournaments, drawing level with Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram and Hugo Lloris for the most major tournament involvements for France.
Thuram, whose son Marcus played for France today, is the only other French player to feature in four European Championships.
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How many more tournaments are we going to go to where France are the clear favourites? With the young players coming through I can’t see them stopping soon.
Jade
The thing about the Euros is that any European team at the finals can win it. And I think today’s games have showed that.
Jonny
FT: Austria 0-1 France
N'Golo Kante has been named man of the match. This was only his third cap since June 2022.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
France boss Didier Deschamps has been asked about Kylian Mbappe's injury on TF1, French TV.
"Apparently the nose is not good at all," he said. "So we’ll see. It’s obviously the negative point of the evening. Even if it’s just his nose it’s annoying for us."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Austria 0-1 France
Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
I thought Austria gave a good account of what they could have done.
They used the ball really well and they had 51% possession - Austria had their fair share of the ball and they used it wisely.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Didier Deschamps enjoyed his 100th victory with France (D30 L24), 59 more than any other manager.
Michel Hidalgo and Raymond Domenech won 41 games each.
A great stat here - 22% of France's wins ever have come under Deschamps (100/459).
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
N'Golo Kante has some engine.
The covering piece of defending he does in the second half, the moment you see it is him you almost sit back and relax.
His legs move as quick as possible to get there and he is a terrier!
Image source, Getty ImagesPortugal are fourth favourites to win the Euros and ranked sixth in the world, they can't be dark horses...
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I’m looking forward to seeing Portugal tomorrow now, they could be dark horses for the tournament given how France and England have performed.
Hannah
FT: Austria 0-1 France
Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live
France are very disciplined and structured. Antoine Griezmann reminded people you win these tournaments by being the most disciplined team.
This is the base you need and they will be better in the next few games. France will go up a few gears for the game against the Dutch in a few days time - it will be a great test for them.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Austria 0-1 France
Austria had more possession than France tonight - 52%. Both sides had three efforts on target - although France did have almost three times the amount of shots overall.
FT: Austria 0-1 France
John Bennett
BBC World Service Sport in Dusseldorf
An ugly win by one of the favourites in their opening game. Where have we heard that one before?
Make no mistake, the numerous French TV football talk shows (normally lots of journalists and pundits sitting round a table shouting at each other, they’re great fun) will be critical of this performance, just as the UK media has been critical of England but I think France manager Didier Deschamps will be relieved and delighted just to have got the winning start because he knew how tough this Austria side is, particularly now under Ralf Rangnick.
Plenty to work on but they’re a tournament team, they’ve seen it and done it all and in the end getting off to a winning start was all that mattered. The one concern of course will be Kylian Mbappe’s nose. Mask incoming for the next game?
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Austria 0-1 France
Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
There was certain similarities between this game and the England v Serbia game.
Austria didn't have the quality to unlock France.
Austria are a tricky opponent and they showed that tonight.
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Two pragmatic 1-0 opening fixture wins for the two tournament favourites.
Andrew
Mbappe's night ends with a nasty injury and a booking
Kylian Mbappe produced a moment of magic - mixed with good fortune - to ensure France's Euro 2024 campaign got off to a winning start against a stubborn Austria in Dusseldorf but was also at the centre of a late injury scare.
France's captain and Real Madrid's latest "Galactico" was replaced in the 90th minute as an eventful night ended with him covered in blood from a broken nose after an aerial clash with Austria defender Kevin Danso.
Mbappe also picked up a yellow card for returning to the field before falling to the ground, then going off.
He had a mixed night with his finishing but still delivered a decisive contribution to seal three important points against Ralf Rangnick's well-drilled Austrian side.
The 25-year-old showed lightning pace and fast footwork to leave Austria full-back Phillipp Mwene in his wake before Mbappe's cross was diverted into his own net by Leeds United centre-back Max Wober's header seven minutes before half-time.
Austria missed their best chance just moments earlier when Christoph Baumgartner's shot from close range was blocked by the feet of France keeper Mike Maignan. Their frustration was further increased by Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano's poor decision to award a goal kick rather than a corner.
Mbappe, who saw a first-half shot well saved by Austria keeper Patrick Pentz, produced an early contender for the miss of Euro 2024 after the break when he showed astonishing pace to race past Wober but, with the goal at his mercy, he held his head in disbelief after shooting wide.
France were not at their best but, with veteran N'Golo Kante producing a magnificent individual performance after two years away from the international stage, they did enough to get past a determined Austria and set the platform for the key Group D game against old rivals the Netherlands on Friday.
Highlights: Austria 0-1 France
France, one of the favourites for Euro 2024, deserved to win but how they were made to work for it by an Austria side showing exactly why they had lost only one of their last 16 matches.
Coach Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches on the pitch and the bench and his team will be a huge threat at this tournament, above and beyond the threat provided by Mbappe.
It was, however, the performance of a member of France's old guard making a return to the colours with selection for the Euros after a 21-month international exile that provided the glue with a superb exhibition of the defensive midfielder's role.
Kante, a World Cup winner in 2018 and now playing in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad, showed precisely why Deschamps was so keen to have him back in the ranks with the sort of display that has been his hallmark over the years.
The 33-year-old rolled back plenty of those years as he provided a defensive shield, awareness and composure on the ball, exemplified by the manner in which he raced back to make up ground on Patrick Wimmer and snuff out danger late on.
Mbappe is nearly always the headline act when France play – and he was again for a variety of reasons – but Kante can stand alongside him at the top of the bill after his display in Dusseldorf.
How Mbappe's 'sensational speed' caused Austria problems
Austria's vast support gave their players a thunderous reception after the final whistle, while reserving their anger for referee Manzano in a pivotal first-half moment.
Baumgartner had a glorious chance to put them ahead as he raced in on goal but his unconvincing finish was saved by the foot of Maignan.
Austria were convinced it was a corner but the referee gave a goal kick, and France's response was swift as Mbappe provided a touch of class to lure Wober into conceding an own goal.
It left Austria and their support nursing a real sense of injustice - and they made their feelings noisily known at the end.
Rangnick's men gave everything and they did have openings but never the quality to cash in, a flaw which proved costly in defeat.
Austria can take heart, however, from the way they tried to compete toe-to-toe with France, even if it was ultimately in a losing cause.
Austria 0-1 France: Pentz says France were happy with final whistle
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
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| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
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| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
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| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Manager: Ralf Rangnick
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Ralf Rangnick
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA European Championship
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This will be the third meeting between Austria and France at a major tournament (WC + EURO). They are tied on one win apiece, with both previous encounters taking place at the FIFA World Cup: in 1934 (3-2 for Austria) and 1982 (1-0 for France).
Austria have won only one of their last 10 matches against France, in all competitions (D2 L7) – a 3-1 FIFA World Cup qualifier victory in Vienna in September 2008.
Austria are making their fourth appearance at the UEFA EURO, including their third in a row. Their only previous appearance prior to that was in 2008, when they automatically qualified as co-hosts.
Austria were knocked out by eventual champions Italy in the round of 16 of the 2020 edition (2-1 aet), their best ever finish at the tournament.
Austria’s two victories at the UEFA EURO (in 10 matches) came against North Macedonia and Ukraine in the 2020 edition. They have scored more than one goal on only one occasion in those 10 matches, it was against North Macedonia (3-1).
France are taking part in their 11th UEFA EURO, including their ninth in a row, the second longest current run after Germany (14). Only Germany and Spain (3 each) have won more European Championships than France (2, in 1984 and 2000).
France have reached the final in three of their last four major tournaments: losing finalists at EURO 2016, winners at WC 2018, losing finalists at WC 2022. The only exception came at EURO 2020 when they were knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16.
Nearly half of France’s 29 goals in qualifying came in one match – their 14-0 win against Gibraltar on 18 November 2023 which was the biggest margin of victory in a EURO qualifying match.
Marcel Sabitzer was involved in six goals in seven appearances during UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying (4 goals, 2 assists), the most of any Austrian player. Sabitzer also created the most big chances (4) and had the highest expected assists total (1.6) of any Austrian.
Kylian Mbappé’s 12 goals for France at major tournaments have all come at the World Cup. In his only previous EURO appearance, he failed to convert any of his 14 shots, and he also missed his spot kick in the shoot-out against Switzerland in the round of 16.
Since EURO 2016, France’s Antoine Griezmann has been directly involved in more goals (18) than any other European player at major tournaments (WC + EURO): 11 goals + 7 assists in 25 games.
If France’s Didier Deschamps lifts the trophy at EURO 2024, he would become the first person to win the World Cup and European Championship both as player and head coach. He’s also one of just two managers at EURO 2024 to have won the tournament as a player along with Ronald Koeman in 1988.
