Kylian Mbappé’s landmark night with France turned sharply after the finish. The captain struck his 67th international goal against Turkey on Friday, but left the field moments later after suffering pain behind his knee in Zinédine Zidane’s first match as France coach.
France were playing in Kocaeli in the Nations League, with Zidane beginning his tenure by reshaping the front line. Mbappé, earning his 107th cap, started on the left rather than through the middle, while 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé operated as the central striker, a role he has also occupied for Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappé converts after French pressure
The Real Madrid forward had been quiet before France forced the decisive opening early in the second half. In the 54th minute, Jules Koundé and Rayan Cherki pressed effectively to win the ball back.
Michael Olise then found Mbappé free on the left side of the penalty area. The France captain hit a low right-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, taking his international tally to 67 goals.
There was no celebration. Mbappé immediately appeared uncomfortable, grimacing as he felt an issue at the back of his knee.
Substituted five minutes after scoring
Dembélé, Cherki, Olise and Koundé came over to congratulate their captain, while France’s medical staff also entered the situation. Mbappé briefly left the pitch for treatment and returned, raising hopes that he could continue.
Those hopes disappeared almost instantly. Mbappé went down again and signalled that he could not carry on.
Désiré Doué replaced him in the 59th minute, five minutes after the goal. Mbappé then headed straight down the tunnel as France’s new Zidane era began with an unwanted injury concern surrounding its captain.
