France began their European Championship campaign on Monday with a 1-0 victory over Austria, but the win was overshadowed by an injury to star striker Kylian Mbappé.
In the final minutes of the match held in Germany, Mbappé sustained a nose injury after a collision, forcing him to leave the game. France’s manager Didier Deschamps confirmed post-match that Mbappé had likely broken his nose.
According to media reports, the French Football Federation confirmed the break and stated that Mbappé was taken to a local hospital in Düsseldorf, Germany. Initial reports suggested he would need surgery, but it was later decided against surgical intervention after his hospital treatment.
Mbappé’s availability for the remainder of the European Championship is now uncertain.
### Incident Details
The injury occurred as Mbappé attempted a header during a set piece in front of Austria’s goal. His face collided with the shoulder of Austria’s Kevin Danso, resulting in a bloodied and disfigured nose.
Mbappé initially tried to return to the field in the 89th minute but immediately sat down again, clutching his nose. He re-entered the game without official permission, which resulted in a yellow card from the referees.
### Match Outcome
Despite the injury, France secured their 1-0 win thanks to an own goal by Austria’s Maximilian Wöber, which came off a pass by Mbappé.
France’s next match is scheduled against the Netherlands on Friday in group play. Mbappé’s injury and the yellow card he received raise concerns for his participation in the upcoming games. Another yellow card could result in a one-game ban.
France will be monitoring Mbappé’s condition closely as they prepare for their next challenge in the European Championship.
