Zinedine Zidane made a successful debut as head coach of the France national team. In their opening match of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, his side secured a 1-0 away victory against Turkey, with the only goal scored by Kylian Mbappé. Unfortunately, Mbappé suffered an injury shortly after scoring and had to be substituted.
The match kicked off with few clear chances. The most promising opportunity before halftime fell to Mbappé, who, playing on the left wing in a 4-3-3 formation, fired a shot from a good position in the 17th minute but missed the target.
After the break, Turkey started to press more aggressively, but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. In the 53rd minute, Olivier Olise delivered a pass to Mbappé, who finished into the near corner. However, this goal came at a cost for France, as Mbappé injured his leg during the shot and had to leave the pitch.
The French team continued to create chances. In the 63rd minute, substitute Désiré Doué was unable to beat goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, and six minutes later, Jules Koundé struck the post.
Turkey never managed to turn the tide of the game. Moreover, late in the match, the hosts were reduced to ten men. Following a VAR review, referee Felix Zwayer issued a red card to Çakır for handling the ball outside the penalty area.
In the next round, France will face Belgium in Brussels, while Turkey will host Italy. Both matches are scheduled for September 28.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
Turkey – France 0:1 (0:0)
Goal: Mbappé 54′ (0:1)
Turkey: Uğurcan Çakır (sent off 87′); Çelik; Demiral; Bardakçı; Yüksek (Kabasaçal 88′); Özkan S.; Güler A.; Kadıoğlu (Gül D. 93′); Uzun (Aktürkoglu 76′); Aydın O. (Elmalı 76′); Yılmaz B. (Bayındır 88′)
Substitutions: Elmalı (76′), Aktürkoglu (76′), Bayındır (88′), Kabasaçal (88′), Gül D. (93′)
Reserves: Koçuk; Topçu E.; Kabak; Kahvedzhi I.; Akgün Y.; Şimşir
Yellow cards: Güler A. 42′; Özkan S. 68′
Red cards: Uğurcan Çakır 87′
France: Ményan; Truffert; Upamecano; Koundé; Lacroix M.; Koné M.; Olise (Barkley B. 78′); Rabiot; Cherki (Camavinga 78′); Dembélé U. (Lepol 90′); Mbappé (Doué D. 59′)
Substitutions: Doué D. (59′), Camavinga (78′), Barkley B. (78′), Lepol (90′)
Reserves: Rest; Butez; Kalulu; Yoro; Jaque; Akliush; Da Cunha; Diouf A.
Yellow cards: Upamecano 72′; Koné M. 93′; Lepol 93′
