France won its first Nations League game of the season 2-0 over Austria on Thursday, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.
Les Bleus were beset by injury concerns heading into the international break, with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante among those missing, and often lacked fluidity at the Stade de France.
However, after 56 minutes, Mbappe stepped up to drive past numerous defenders and finish past Patrick Pentz before Giroud headed in to help Didier Deschamps’ side to victory.
France, the last edition’s winners, now control their Nations League relegation fate, but cannot advance through Group A1 after Croatia defeated Denmark.
Mbappe thought he had put France ahead in the second minute, but the offside flag denied him, and Jonathan Clauss forced Pentz to push over from close range.
As Les Bleus’ injury woes continued, Jules Kounde was replaced before Benoit Badiashile’s acrobatic effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Pentz, who then denied Antoine Griezmann’s close-range follow-up.
After the break, a clever passing move between Mbappe and Griezmann resulted in Clauss curling narrowly over, but France were soon ahead.
Mbappe received the ball from a driving Giroud run before charging into the area and firing a right-footed shot past Pentz’s reach.
Griezmann provided the second goal, as his right-wing cross found Giroud, who flicked a header into the top-left corner to secure France’s victory.
What does it imply? Les Bleus are in command, but they are far from convincing.
France was imperious in their march to World Cup glory in Russia in 2018, but they have underwhelmed in the build-up to the next edition four years later.
Les Bleus had failed to win any of their four Nations League games but had battled through injuries to avoid relegation.
While Argentina, Germany, and Brazil will be encouraged by their recent struggles, France will hope to have many returning stars for the World Cup in Qatar.
Claus’s gifts
Clauss was given a chance in Deschamps’ squad after injuries to Pogba, Kante, and Adrien Rabiot, and he took it against Austria.
Mbappe may get all the attention, but Marseille winger Clauss created a game-high three chances – one more than Mbappe – in an effective showing on the right side.
Kounde is concerned.
Deschamps’ injury woes were exacerbated when new Barcelona signing Kounde hobbled off in the first half.
Kounde was partnering Raphael Varane, a likely World Cup pairing, and both Barcelona and France will hope the defender’s absence does not cause too much concern in the coming weeks.
What comes next?
France visits Denmark in their final Nations League match before the World Cup in November, while Croatia hosts Croatia on the same day.