The goal lit up France’s night in Turkey, but Kylian Mbappé’s departure quickly changed the mood. The France captain scored the only goal in a 1-0 win on Friday before suffering a left-knee problem and leaving the pitch minutes later.
The move
Mbappé was replaced by Désiré Doué after sustaining the injury while striking the ball. France’s new head coach, Zinédine Zidane, confirmed after the match that the forward would not remain with the national-team group.
Zidane said Mbappé’s condition was concerning and made clear that France would not gamble with his fitness.
“It is not good, no, it is not good,” Zidane said. “He will have to go home. We are not going to take any risks. He hyperextended his knee on the shot. It is not particularly encouraging for him to continue, so we will not take risks.”
The French season around it
The setback came immediately after another decisive moment from Mbappé, whose goal secured France’s 1-0 victory in Turkey. But the captain’s exit, and Zidane’s swift decision to send him back from the camp, meant the result was followed by concern over the left knee rather than celebration.
Doué’s introduction gave France a replacement for the closing stages, while Mbappé’s international duty ended early as the medical situation took priority.
