France opened play at the European Championships on Monday with a 1-0 win over Austria, but left the game with injury concern for star striker Kylian Mbappé.
With France leading, 1-0 in the final minutes of the match, Mbappé’s nose was bloodied after a collision, forcing him to eventually leave the game. France’s manager Didier Deschamps said after the game that Mbappé had likely broken his nose.
“Yes, Kylian Mbappé has probably broken his nose,” Deschamps said.
Mbappé’s status moving forward in European Championship play wasn’t immediately clear.
The contact happened as Mbappé headed the ball on a set piece in front of Austria’s goal. As Mbappé followed through on the header, his face collided with the shoulder of Austria’s Kevin Danso.
The contact left Mbappé’s nose bloodied and disfigured.
Mbappé then tried to return to the field of play in the 89th minute and immediately sat back down to the turf while holding his nose. He had returned to the game without permission from game officials, who issued him a yellow card.
France went on to secure the 1-0 win. Mbappé’s status in terms of injury and his yellow card are concerns moving forward in European Championship play. If Mbappé is able to return to play with his injury, he’ll be at risk of a one-game ban with another yellow card.
France won on Monday via an own goal off the head of Austria’s Maximilian Wöber on a pass by Mbappé.
France is next scheduled to play the Netherlands on Friday in group play.
Source Agencies
