“Euro 2024: France pips Austria 1-0
France kicks off their Euro 2024 campaign successfully, following the age-old Didier Deschamps’s strategy of doing just the bare minimum to snatch the win. The admirable Austrian team, under the helm of Ralf Rangnick, wasn’t shy in showcasing their straightforward disdain for the French team, starting from the anthem alone. The Austrian spectators greeted the French national anthem, Marseillaise, with boos, remembering its roots as a song against Austria. Perhaps, some attendees of the match at the Düsseldorf Arena were recalling France’s treatment of Marie Antoinette. The French retaliation came in kind, as they echoed the Austrian anthem with boos and mocking cheers.
Yet, Austria has been having a triumphant run this season, settling old scores with recent victories against Germany (2-0), Turkey (6-1), and Serbia (2-1)… Could France be their next adversary to face defeat?
Rangnick’s team was evidently spirited. Despite being outranked in terms of individual skills, his team was resilient, showing intense dedication in their tackles and runs and possessing the ball more than France in the first half.
However, France, appearing not too perturbed, maintained their forte – a disciplined defensive structure. Leveraging their goalkeeper and blockers as the backbone of the team, along with the midfielders and fighters digging in, except for Kylian Mbappé who patiently hung back, ready for a counterattack.
🇦🇹 0-1 🇫🇷— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 17, 2024
Sadly for Max Wober, he inadvertently places a Kylian Mbappe hit into his own net and propels France into the lead #EURO2024
📺 @RTE2 and @RTEplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/1cSEc124Xz
The highlight for France was on the counter-attack, with Peter Pentz making a save at his near post from Mbappé’s strike after Rabiot capitalised on a stray ball to assist him.”
The Austrians generated the first clear opportunity to score after 35 minutes of play. A cross from Michael Grigoritsch from the left failed to be cleared by William Saliba at the box’s fringe, he couldn’t connect with his headed clearance. As a result, Marcel Sabitzer received the ball, who adroitly set it up for the unattended Christoph Baumgartner to take a shot. Baumgartner, the fastest goal-scorer in international history from March, was a sure-fire finisher, but Maignan thwarted his shot by diving in front of him, sending it high and wide.
A corner should have been given, although the referee apparently thought Maignan and then Baumgartner had double-touched the ball, resulting in an unwarranted goal kick and outraging the Austrian team. The situation worsened as France responded immediately by scoring a goal at the other end due to a genuine double deflection. A cross by Mbappe from the right side was accidentally headed by Kevin Danso into his centre-back partner Max Wöber, propelling the ball towards goal resulting in an unlucky own goal.
Despite the unintentional nature of the goal, this marked Mbappe’s first significant contribution to the game. A player of his caliber always bears a unique pressure on the pitch, a pressure that has escalated this week as he becomes embroiled in France’s heated election campaign drama.
Marcus Thuram, Mbappe’s team-mate, criticised the National Rally, Marine le Pen’s political party that recently dominated the French European elections and continues to receive strong polling results ahead of the snap elections announced by Emmanuel Macron. Thuram expressed his dismay at the sad reality of contemporary society and stressed the need for continued resistance to ensure the National Rally’s success. He adamantly believes the rest of the France squad shares his views.
Mbappé resonated Thuram’s sentiments, hoping he would maintain his pride in the jersey even after July 7th. Regardless of political perspectives, Mbappé’s bravery is commendable. Aware of the election outcomes, he understands that many French citizens will take pleasure in reminding him that, if the Rally succeeds, he himself has indicated he might no longer have pride in representing his country.
In the game’s 55th minute, the perfect opportunity for him to silence some critics came his way. A lofty pass from Rabiot soared over Danso’s head, providing an opportune moment for Mbappé to seize upon and effortlessly outpace Wöber. He was free to score, with goalkeeper Pentz awaiting his command and the French supporters standing in anticipation to jubilate – but, Mbappé’s shot was surprisingly wide to the right. Comparatively, it was akin to Rory McIlroy missing a two-footer at the Sunday evening PGA.
But the agony did not end there for him. His nose met with a harsh hit from Danso’s shoulder as he attempted a header. Blood stained his immaculate white kit as he ambled off the pitch, only to realise the referee had not halted play to permit France to bring on substitutes. In a shrewd move, Mbappé reentered the pitch and sat down to force a game suspension. This act incensed Austrian supporters, leading to Mbappé’s booking, and saw the match close amid the cacophony of disgruntled whistles and boos from both sides. This will likely be a vivid recollection from Europe 2024 – certainly a distinctive tune of the summer.