France, which is aiming for a third continental coronation after 1984 and 2000, made a successful start to Euro-2024, beating Austria 1-0 on Monday in Düsseldorf.
The Blues won thanks to an own goal from Austrian defender Maximilian Wöber (38th) after a cross from Kylian Mbappé.
They join the Netherlands at the top of Group D, winners of Poland (2-1) the day before, which they will face on Friday.
Future Real Madrid striker Mbappé forced the Austrian lock with a leg pass, a hook, an acceleration and a cross, pushed back into his own goal by Wöber.
Shortly before the end of the match, the former PSG player, however, left the field with a bloody face, visibly hit in the nose in an aerial duel with Kevin Danso.
It is still too early to know the exact duration of the French superstar’s unavailability, but this bloody and “broken” nose, according to a source close to the player, constitutes a big black spot for the Blues.
“He is not well, he is in poor condition,” regretted coach Didier Deschamps at a press conference. It is in the hands of staff medical, he has a damaged nose that’s for sure. To see, but it seems complicated. I don’t have the elements, decisions will be made. I saw him lying on the massage table. It’s not a scratch. I can’t give specific details, because I don’t have any. »
The vice-world champions, well helped by their goalkeeper Mike Maignan, imitate the other favorites with successful debuts, whether Italy, England, Germany, Spain or the Netherlands.
While waiting for Portugal, opposed on Tuesday to the Czech Republic, all the European leaders have respected their rank, with the notable exception of Belgium, third nation in the FIFA rankings.
