Kylian Mbappé delivered a key three points for the France national team in Turkey. The captain's second-half goal secured a 1-0 Nations League victory on Thursday night.
Didier Deschamps's side controlled 64% of possession but struggled to create clear chances in a tight first half. The breakthrough came in the 54th minute. Michael Olise, starting on the right, provided a perfect assist for Mbappé, who finished clinically for his tenth goal of the season in just eight appearances for Les Bleus.
France, who sit first in their World Cup qualifying group with nine points, managed the game well after taking the lead. They withstood Turkish pressure, even after goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır was sent off in the 87th minute for a foul outside his area. The clean sheet was their third in official competition this season.
The decisive moment
Kylian Mbappé once again proved the difference maker. His goal, stemming from excellent link-up play with Olise, cements his position as the team's top scorer this campaign. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was France's most dangerous attacker, registering three shots on target.
The win maintains France's three-point lead at the top of their World Cup qualifying group over Norway. Didier Deschamps will have a full squad available, bolstered by a defence that has conceded only twice in three qualifiers. France's detailed group standing is available in our standings.
