UEFA Nations League, Matchday 1, 25/09/2026
Les Bleus secured a slender and unconvincing win for Zinédine Zidane’s managerial debut for France. Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the game, but he injured himself in doing so.
The Match
The Zinédine Zidane era started at Izmit’s Kocaeli Stadium as France kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye. As expected, the new France manager went with Kylian Mbappé on the left wing and Ousmane Dembélé as the team’s centre-forward. The pair made headlines recently with digs aimed at each other regarding the race for the Ballon d’Or, and their understanding on the pitch was left wanting. As a whole, France struggled to click in the first half.
Against Türkiye’s tight and low block, France dominated possession, but they were yet to actually threaten the hosts. The visitors were as unspired as they were wasteful, although the sorry state of the pitch certainly didn’t help their case. As their grip tightened on the game, Les Bleus grew more confident, and the chances finally flowed. In the final minutes of the first half, Rayan Cherki saw his shot blocked following a sleek team move with Dembélé and Olise. The latter then drew a fine save from Cakir in trying to find his bottom corner from range.
Türkiye started the second half with the bit between the teeth. They could have gone ahead had Mike Maignan not made a remarkable save to deny Ismail Yüksek. Three minutes later, France leapt ahead. Koné forced a turnover in the final third. Olise picked the unmarked Mbappé’s run, and France’s all-time leading goalscorer logged his 67th international goal. Worryingly, Mbappé hurt his left knee while scoring, prompting his replacement by Désiré Doué.
Mbappé’s exit prompted France to take their foot off the gas a bit, as if his teammates decided they’d see out the game with minimum fuss and risk. Türkiye had other plans of course. The host cranked up the pressure, spurned on by their home fans, applying the heat on France’s error-strewn defenders. Despite Uğurcan Çakır’s dismissal, for having handled the ball outside his penalty box, France made it a hard-fought win as Türkiye tried to salvage a draw.
France eventually started the Zidane era with an unconvincing win, but they’ll be made to sweat over the extent of Mbappé’s injury. Les Bleus’ task could be harder on Monday as they take on Belgium in Brussels.
France player ratings
Mike Maignan – 6
Adrien Truffert – 5
Maxence Lacroix – 5
Dayot Upamecano – 4
The Bayern Munich centre-back started strong, as usual, to keep things tidy at the back. However, he made too many uncharacteristic mistakes, losing possession too cheaply. Not as commanding as we’re used to, needlessly booked too.
Jules Koundé – 4
Adrien Rabiot – 4
Manu Koné – 5
Rayan Cherki – 4
The Manchester City maverick was given an unfamiliar role as a conventional midfielder. He should not escape part of the blame for France’s lack of creativity and flair. Replaced by Eduardo Camavinga, who was snubbed by Didier Deschamps for his 2026 World Cup squad.
Kylian Mbappé – 6
France’s all-time leading goalscorer had a first half to forget. For his return on the left wing, the Real Madrid striker lacked pace and urgency, and his decision-making was poor. He made amends for it in burying his 67th international goal. Unfortunately, he looks to have injured himself in doing so…
Ousmane Dembélé – 4
Michael Olise – 5
