Kylian Mbappé gave Zinedine Zidane a winning start as France manager on Thursday. The captain scored the only goal in Turkey to secure a 1-0 Nations League victory for Les Bleus.
Mbappé found the net in the 54th minute, finishing an assist from Michael Olise. The strike was his 67th international goal. Zidane told reporters after the match, "It's a good start, an important away win. The team showed solidity."
The 8:45 PM kick-off saw France control possession with 64% of the ball. Both sides had twelve attempts, with the hosts reduced to ten men late on when goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır was sent off for a handball outside his area.
Zidane selected a 4-3-3 starting lineup featuring Maignan in goal and an attacking trio of Olise, Mbappé, and Dembélé. The new manager made several substitutions, introducing Désiré Doué for goalscorer Mbappé in the 59th minute.
The key man: Kylian Mbappé
Match-winner Kylian Mbappé continues his prolific form this international season. The striker is France's top scorer with ten goals in eight appearances. His efficiency remains the team's greatest asset as they sit first in their World Cup qualifying group with nine points.
This win gets France back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats this summer. It comes ahead of a significant away fixture against Belgium on Monday, September 28th. This clash will be key for their Nations League campaign, with France leading Belgium by 3 points in the standings. The full squad list and player statistics are available to follow the team's preparation.
On September 27, Kylian Mbappé expressed some frustration about his tactical positioning during the 1-0 win in Turkey. The captain, who scored the winning goal, played on the left wing, a choice by Zinedine Zidane. Mbappé was "a little frustrated" by this role, according to the player's camp. France, first in their World Cup qualifying group with 9 points, will face Belgium this Monday.
