In Turkey, beneath an early surge from the home side, France opened Zinedine Zidane’s tenure as national-team coach with a narrow 1-0 victory. Kylian Mbappé supplied the defining finish, but the Real Madrid forward’s evening ended soon afterwards with a knee problem that will require assessment.
The first match of the Zidane era was far from a comfortable introduction. Turkey threatened inside four minutes when Ferdi Kadioglu drove a powerful effort onto the post, setting a sharp tempo in front of their own supporters while France sought to settle through possession.
France gradually found more room. Mbappé sent a chance narrowly wide in the 17th minute, before Ryan Cherki was denied in a one-on-one situation by Ugurcan Cakir shortly before half-time. Cakir then produced another important intervention, reaching Michael Olise’s attempt that was headed towards the top corner and preserving a goalless interval.
Mbappé delivers, then departs
The breakthrough arrived nine minutes after the restart. Olise created the opening and Mbappé converted in the 54th minute, scoring the first French goal under Zidane and giving the visitors the advantage their growing control had earned.
Yet the goal brought an immediate concern. Mbappé remained on the pitch with apparent discomfort in his knee and, after receiving treatment, was replaced by Désiré Doué in the 59th minute. His condition is now the principal issue hanging over an otherwise winning first night for Zidane.
Turkey responded with renewed purpose after Mbappé’s departure. Arda Güler came close to restoring parity in the 74th minute, but Mike Maignan made a decisive save to protect France’s lead. Zidane used his changes to calm the closing stages as the visitors tried to see out a contest that had remained tense throughout.
The hosts’ task became harder in the 87th minute when Cakir was sent off following a VAR review. Turkey disputed the decision, but the goalkeeper had to leave the field. Manu Koné and Esteban Lepaul were also booked late on as France managed the final minutes with an extra player.
France held firm for the 1-0 result, giving Zidane a victorious start in charge. The performance offered moments of promise, with Olise influential in the goal and Maignan crucial when Turkey pushed back, but attention will now turn to Mbappé and the extent of the knee issue that cut short his night.
