France’s Kylian Mbappé was taken to a hospital in Düsseldorf after breaking his nose in France’s 1-0 win over Austria at the European Championship in Germany on Monday.After initially fearing their star striker would need surgery and could miss some or all of Euro 2024,
France Football Federation president Philippe Diallo told ESPN’s Julien Laurens that the team’s medical staff determined Mbappé would be OK without an operation after undergoing new tests.
The Real Madrid striker left the hospital at 1 a.m. local time and returned to the team. Mbappé is having a custom mask made for him that he will need to wear when he returns to play. He is a doubt for Friday’s game against the Netherlands.
The striker, involved in the first-half goal, clashed heads with Austria’s Kevin Danso late in the Group D game at Düsseldorf Arena. He was in obvious pain as he lay curled on the grass, prompting Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to signal for medical attention.
“He’s got a really bad nose,” manager Didier Deschamps said. “We’ll have to wait and see, the medical staff are dealing with it. We’ll have to see what’s going to be done and then how long it will take. It’s very bad news for us tonight.
“Obviously, the French team with or without him, this is not the same thing. I hope he can be there.”
Mbappé received treatment after the collision and his shirt was covered with blood from what appeared to be a blow to his nose. He tried to play on but quickly fell to the ground, holding his face and prompting whistles and jeers from Austria’s fans, who seemed to believe he was time-wasting as France held on for the win.
He was booked by referee Jesus Gil Manzano and was replaced by Olivier Giroud.
France won via an own goal from Maximilian Wober in the 38th minute, handing Deschamps his 100th victory as national team coach.
“Happy with what the players did even if we missed opportunities to double the tally,” Deschamps said. “It was not perfect, but we were solid. We could have been more efficient offensively, but it’s good to start with a win.
“There’s quality and talent but being solid and working together is also important. We’re not going to be over-confident, but it’s a good start.”
On a mixed day for Mbappé, it was his moment of inspiration that led to the decisive goal. With a flash of close-ball control, he beat Phillipp Mwene in the box and crossed in search of a teammate. In Wober’s desperation to cut out the danger, he inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.
Mbappé was then guilty of a remarkable miss 10 minutes into the second half when failing to hit the target from close range with only the keeper to beat.
For all their graft and possession, Austria struggled to create many clear chances as France’s N’Golo Kanté fully justified his return to the squad with a masterful display at the heart of midfield.
“It starts well. Everything was not perfect, but we have the result we wanted; this is a good start,” Kante said. “There are solid foundations; we have to be more efficient.
“It makes me happy to be back. Things have changed, makes it feels good to get back into this jersey.”
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