After a previous shake-up due to the political positioning of Kylian Mbappé, France saved its debut in the Euro Cup with a difficult 1-0 victory against Austria, this Monday in Düsseldorf, in a match in which the captain of the Blues retired after a strong hit on the nose.
According to the criteria of
Number 1 favorite, France showed a lack of shooting and saved the night thanks to the header of Austrian defender Maximilian Wober, who deflected the center of
Mbappé (38). With this result, the team led by Didier Deschamps leads group D along with the Netherlands, which came back (2-1) against Poland on Sunday.
Mbappé’s crash.
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France a duel in the background
The political conversation, with Mbappé becoming the cover of media around the world for his statement “against extremism”, had left the French debut in second place. Mbappé called to vote in the legislative elections, called for June 30 and July 7 after the victory of the extreme right in the European elections a week ago. “I don’t like extremism or ideas that divide.” Definitely a difficult game to approach, when the Bleus captain himself added: “The situation is more important than tomorrow’s game.”
Furthermore, Austria was a poisoned debut. A team with an identity, on a streak of seven games without defeat, including a 6-1 against Turkey and a 2-0 against Germany, despite the fact that its best player, David Alaba, is in the Eurocup as an assistant coach for his serious knee injury.
Maignan, decisive stop
Maignan vs. Austria – ET
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France quickly showed that in terms of talent, there is no team that comes close to it in the Euro Cup… As soon as it started, a backheel from Antoine Griezmann, a ride from Theo Hernandez, the start from Mbappé that was taken by goalkeeper Patrick Pentz (9) or a dry dribble from Ousmane Dembelé.
But from the kick-off it was clear that it was not going to be easy to defeat the troops led by the German Ralf Rangnick: well positioned and forceful to the extreme in the physical game, he withstood the French team without much suffering, and was close to opening the match. marker at 36 in a spark of collective play.
Opening to the left, center into the area, subtle drop from the captain Marcel Sabitzer and Christoph Baumgartner meet a very attentive Mike Maignan, decisive in his debut as a starting goalkeeper in a major tournament. The French response was immediate and definitive, accompanied by a bit of luck.
Austria France ET
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Mbappé overflowed from the right, crossed to the near post and Wober headed into the net.
Already in the second half (55) the 10 had the second in their boots. Launched on the run by Adrien Rabiot, he reached the penalty spot and, before the goalkeeper’s half-goal, shot wide. A very strange mistake in the new Real Madrid player, who only had to smile.
Mbappé’s night continued with a tough blow when he tried to finish off with a header. He was on the ground for several minutes and bled profusely from his nose, like Griezmann a few minutes before from his forehead after crashing into a fence.
The captain finally had to be replaced (90) with the white shirt dyed red. Blood, sweat and three points for a world runner-up that needs to improve.
AFP
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