Paris:Kylian Mbappe‘s injury overshadowed Zinedine Zidane‘s first match as France coach as Les Bleus secured a 1-0 victory over Turkey in their UEFA Nations League opener on Friday.
Mbappe scored the only goal of the match before being forced off with an apparent knee injury, while Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy coach ended with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.
Zidane, who was appointed France coach in late July as the successor to Didier Deschamps, began his tenure with a victory in Izmit. The former France captain and 1998 World Cup winner had been handed a four-year contract and was taking charge of the national team for the first time.
The victory, however, came at a cost, with France captain Mbappe leaving the field only a few minutes after putting his team ahead.
Mbappe scores before suffering injury
Mbappe broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half at the Kocaeli Stadium. Michael Olise supplied the pass, with Mbappe finishing to give France a 1-0 advantage.
The Real Madrid forward appeared to hurt himself during the shooting motion. He initially attempted to continue but soon signalled that he could not carry on. Mbappe was eventually replaced by Desire Doue in the 59th minute.
The initial reports indicated an injury around the knee area. Zidane said after the match that Mbappe had overextended his knee while shooting and suggested that the injury was concerning enough for France to avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“It’s not great,” Zidane said, adding that Mbappe would likely have to return home rather than continue with the national team during the current international window.
A definitive diagnosis and recovery timeline were not immediately available.
France hold on after Mbappe’s departure
France managed to protect their lead after losing their captain.
Turkey were reduced to 10 players late in the match when goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir was sent off for handling the ball outside his penalty area while attempting to stop Bradley Barcola.
The result gave Zidane a winning start in his first competitive match on the France bench. His appointment marked the beginning of a new era following Deschamps’ 14-year spell as coach, during which France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the 2022 World Cup final.
Zidane had previously confirmed that Mbappe would remain France captain under his management. The Real Madrid star had also been France’s leading scorer at the 2026 World Cup, where he scored 10 goals.
Mbappe could miss upcoming Nations League matches
The injury creates uncertainty over Mbappe’s availability for France’s remaining Nations League fixtures during the current international window.
France are scheduled to face Belgium in Brussels on Monday before playing Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5. The latest reports indicate that Mbappe is unlikely to feature in those matches if he returns home for further assessment.
The injury could also concern Real Madrid, where Mbappe has made a strong start to the 2026-27 season. The French forward had reportedly scored eight goals and provided two assists in eight appearances for the Spanish club before the international break.
His exact recovery period will depend on further medical examinations.
Zidane begins new chapter with France
Zidane’s appointment generated considerable interest because of his history with French football.
As a player, he was a central figure in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team and also helped the country win Euro 2000. He later established himself as one of the most successful club coaches of his generation, including three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
His first France squad included several new faces alongside established players such as Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. Zidane had said before the match that Mbappe would continue as captain, while also outlining his plans for the team after Deschamps’ departure.
The win in Turkey gives Zidane three points at the beginning of his Nations League campaign, although the injury to his captain has provided an immediate concern.
Mancini’s Italy return ends in defeat
Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini’s return to the Italy job began with a 2-0 defeat against Belgium in Rome.
Mancini was brought back to lead Italy after previously guiding the country to the Euro 2020 title. His return comes during a rebuilding phase for the national side following its failure to qualify for three successive World Cups.
Belgium spoiled Mancini’s comeback by securing victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
Belgium were playing their first match since their elimination by eventual champions Spain in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. The result provided a positive start to their Nations League campaign while leaving Italy with work to do under their returning coach.
France face Belgium next
France’s next Nations League assignment will be against Belgium in Brussels on Monday.
The match will now be closely watched for Mbappe’s availability, particularly because he is France’s captain and leading attacking player. If he is unavailable, Zidane will have to make adjustments to his attacking combination after using Mbappe on the left side in the 4-3-3 formation against Turkey.
Mbappe’s injury also means that the early part of Zidane’s France tenure could involve managing the workload of the team’s leading players while establishing his tactical approach.
For now, France can take the three points from Zidane’s debut, but the immediate focus will remain on the medical assessment of Mbappe and determining how long the captain will be unavailable.