Euro 2024: France escape with narrow win against Austria in first match
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France escape with narrow win || Imago

Euro 2024: France escape with narrow win against Austria in first match

Stephen Oladehinde 22:03 - 17.06.2024

World Cup finalist France began their Euro 2024 campaign with a narrow win over Austria in their first game.

Before the start of the tournament, France was one of the favourites to win, but their first game did not tell enough of that.

They secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ralf Rangnick's side thanks to an own goal from Max Wober late in the first half.

As it happened

Ralf Rangnick named his Austrian side to take on 2018 World Cup winners France in their opening Group D match in Dusseldorf.

Austria are without their star player David Alaba after he suffered an ACL injury earlier in the season with Real Madrid.

Didier Deschamps named a strong side to begin their Group D campaign. Arsenal defender William Saliba partnered Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano at the back, while Kylian Mbappe captained the side and led the line. 

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Both teams started the game brightly, but France had more dominance and looked threatening but could not find the back of the net.

However, in the 38th minute, Austria conceded from an own goal after Kylian Mbappe skipped past one defender and got to the byeline before clipping a cross in. 

France vs Austria || Imago
France vs Austria || Imago

Max Wober got his header all wrong, and the ball flew into the far corner of the net, with the first half ending in favour of France.

The second half started with Austria trying to do more work with the ball and threaten the France defence.

France vs Austria || Imago
France vs Austria || Imago

France had some chances to double their lead, but Real Madrid's new signing, Mbappe, failed to convert them.

The game ended with France sealing a narrow 1-0 victory over the stubborn Austrian side in their first game.

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