Group D's first round of matches concluded in Dusseldorf as many's pre tournament favourites in France got their tournament off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win.
Naturally coming from the boot of Kylian Mbappe, the now Real Madrid star, showed an electric turn of pace to fire the ball across which bounced into his own net off the unfortunate Maximillian Wober for the only goal of the game.
In a very physical encounter, Mbappe came off with a suspected broken nose, which will be of major concern to Les Bleus.
Ralf Rangnick's Philosophy clear to see:
Having been in the post since 2022, former Manchester United caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick has totally transformed Austrian football and the connection with the country.
He took the post at a time when Austria had encountered some joy in European competition, having made it to the knockout stages of Euro 2020 for the first time in their history.
He was tasked with something similar to Gareth Southgate when he took over England,, to reunite the feeling and connection with the countries supporters.
His Austria team showcased their assts which saw a brilliant qualifying campaign which saw them only finish behind Belgium.
The Austrians were quick to press and unsettle France, particularly in the first half, with Kevin Danso and Max Wober getting tight to the ever frightening French front line. Despite being on the losing side, Austria have definitely put in a performance to be proud of.
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N'Golo Kante's class is permanent:
Two years ago, N'golo Kante, the humble, two time Premier League champion's career had hit really it's first stumbling block.
A hamstring injury sustained in August 2022 against Tottenham Hotspur, kept him out of action for eight months, leaving memories of his stunning Champions League final performance in 2021 firmly in the dust.
Tonight in Dusseldorf however, it was a hark back to the glory days of the French midifleder, who, typically, covered every single blade of grass on the pitch.
Summed up with one particular sequence, Patrick Wimmer nicked the ball high off William Saliba and looked to spark an Austrian counter which would have bagged a late equaliser, but Kante seemed to appear from nowhere, having sprinted back about 50 yards to snuff out the attack and showcase his ever brilliant intelligence, attitude and ability.
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Austria punished for not taking their chance:
Most games of football hinge on the odd spell, a electric counter followed by a challenge that sets the opposing team off, a missed penalty which leads to a team scoring from the next attack, in a two and a half minute spell in Germany tonight, that is what happened.
Austria had made a fantastic account of themselves in the opening half an hour, and so nearly took the lead through a golden opportunity. after. a well worked move.
The ball was worked wide to Nicolas Seiwald who arced a ball back to Marcel Sabitzer, who cushioned a beautiful ball into the path of Michael Gregoritsch who scuffed his attempted chip, which was superbly saved by Mike Maignan in the France goal.
Just two minutes later, France went ahead, with superb footwork by Ousmane Dembele, set Mbappe away who's teasing ball has diverted into his own net by Wober, showing Austria just why you have to take your chances on the biggest stage.
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Kylian Mbappe's rough and tumble night:
Early on in the first half, Mbappe broke through with a turn of speed only ever seen by the french when the Eurostar steams through Northern France, and fired a low effort at goal with had to be tipped round the post, it seemed as if everybody knew which way the evening was going to go.
A promising first half saw him add an assist to his tally, but his second half was far from plain sailing.
He proved he was human after all, when he steamed away from the Austrian defence and somehow, someway fired wide when one on one with the goalkeeper, to the amazement of everyone in the ground and watching at home.
His night was about to get an awful lot more painful, colliding with the shoulder of Austrian defender, Kevin Danso and having to be withdrawn with a suspected broken nose, which will be of grave concern to Didier Deschamps and everybody of a French persuasion.
