Zinedine Zidane's Debut as France Coach Sees Narrow Victory Over Turkey

France marked the beginning of a new era under the legendary Zinedine Zidane with a narrow 1-0 victory over Turkey in the UEFA Nations League. The match, held at the Kocaeli Stadium, saw Kylian Mbappe, who has been a focal point of the French attack, score the decisive goal, further solidifying his status as the nation's all-time leading scorer.

Mbappe, who was positioned on the left wing for the match, found the back of the net in the first half after receiving a precise assist from Michael Olise. The goal was a testament to his skill and composure, showcasing his ability to control the ball and strike low past the goalkeeper. However, his moment of glory was quickly overshadowed by a concerning injury.

After celebrating his 67th international goal, Mbappe appeared to experience discomfort in his left knee. Despite initial attempts to continue playing after treatment, he ultimately had to be substituted, raising alarms for both the French national team and his club, Paris Saint-Germain. The extent of his injury remains uncertain, with France set to play three more matches in the coming days.

“We are all worried about Kylian, he is a key player for us,” Zidane remarked after the match. “His health is our priority, and we will monitor the situation closely.”

Zidane's appointment as head coach, which extends to 2030, marks his return to elite coaching after a brief hiatus following his departure from Real Madrid in 2021. As he embarks on this new journey, the focus will be on maintaining team morale and performance, especially with the looming challenges ahead in the Nations League.