France kicked off their EURO 2024 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Austria. Despite dominating the match, „Les Bleus” struggled to convert their chances into goals, narrowly avoiding an upset.
Mbappe and Early Pressure
From the first whistle, Kylian Mbappe was a constant threat. In the 9th minute, his promising attempt was saved by Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz. Shortly after, Pentz also managed to catch a wayward shot from Antoine Griezmann.
Dembele’s Efforts and Austria’s Defense
Ousmane Dembele, looking lively on the right wing, was brought down by Maximilian Wober in the 16th minute, earning the Austrian a yellow card. Wober continued to be a defensive stalwart, blocking another attempt from Griezmann as Austria began to push forward. Jules Kounde, however, successfully halted Christoph Baumgartner’s aggressive advance.
Key Moments and Austria’s Close Calls
In the 33rd minute, Dembele drew another foul, this time from Phillipp Mwene. However, France failed to capitalize on the ensuing free-kick. Austria then had a golden opportunity in the 36th minute when Baumgartner found himself one-on-one with French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who expertly saved the shot with his foot.
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Own Goal Gives France the Lead
France broke the deadlock moments later. Mbappe’s powerful cross from the right wing was inadvertently deflected into the net by Wober, giving France a 1-0 lead just before halftime. Griezmann almost doubled the lead with a brilliant pass to Mbappe, but the 25-year-old couldn’t control the ball, and Pentz collected it safely.
Missed Chances and Second Half Drama
The second half saw Mbappe miss a clear chance in the 55th minute, shooting wide after escaping Wober’s marking. Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer fell in the French penalty area, but the referee waved play on. Dembele’s shot flew into the stands, and Pentz denied Marcus Thuram from close range.
Late Game Tension
In the 73rd minute, Thuram missed the target again. A scary collision occurred between Maignan and Baumgartner, with the Austrian accidentally kicking the French goalkeeper. Both players resumed play after a brief pause.
Mbappe’s Injury and Final Whistle
As the match neared its end, Mbappe collided with Kevin Danso, resulting in a bloody face for the French star. He received a yellow card for re-entering the pitch without permission and was soon substituted by Olivier Giroud.
Looking Ahead
France secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory. They will face the Netherlands on Friday, while Austria is set to play against Poland, with the match scheduled to start at 18:00.
