Zinedine Zidane’s managerial era with France began with a 1-0 victory over Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on Friday though the win was overshadowed by a knee tendon injury to captain Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute with turning in a precise pass from Michael Olise. However in just five minutes later the French star went down clasping his left leg and was forced off the field. Following the match, Zidane confirmed Mbappe will return to Real Madrid for medical evaluation also stating the team will take no risks with his recovery.
Zidane replaced long-time manager Didier Deschamps and lined up his team in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. France dominated much of the match in İzmit while Turkey finished the game with 10 men after goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakır was shown a red card late in the second half for handling the ball outside the penalty box.
Italy Stumbles Under Returning Mancini
In other Nations League action Roberto Mancini’s second stint as Italy manager started on a disappointing note with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Twenty-year-old winger Mika Godts put Belgium ahead in the 20th minute with earning Mark van Bommel a winning debut as Belgium manager. Dodi Lukébakio secured the victory in the 69th minute with a brilliant solo effort after a run from the halfway line.
Northern Ireland Secures Historic League B Win
Northern Ireland registered their first-ever League B victory with a dramatic 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles saved a second-half penalty from Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia setting the stage for his brother Shea Charles to score the winning goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Around the Grounds
In other League B action, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres scored as Sweden defeated Romania 2-1 while Ukraine secured a 1-0 away victory against Hungary. Poland drew 0-0 with Bosnia and Herzegovina. In League C, Armenia defeated Latvia 2-0 and Montenegro earned a 2-1 victory over Cyprus.
