France Defeats Austria 1-0 in Euro 2024 Opener

On June 18, 2024, France secured a 1-0 victory over Austria in their Euro 2024 opening match, held in Düsseldorf. The win ensured Didier Deschamps continued his unbeaten streak in opening games of major tournaments as France’s manager, with the team exemplifying his core principles of solidity, efficiency, and individual skill.

Kylian Mbappé’s central positioning on the field was strategic to maximize his offensive impact. However, a broken nose will now sideline him, potentially providing recovery time from other minor injuries. Théo Hernández capably filled in for his injured brother Lucas, demonstrating significant offensive contributions from the left flank.

Jules Koundé, contrastingly, provided defensive stability on the right, living up to Deschamps’ preference for reliability over flair in that position. N’Golo Kanté marked his return to international football after a 21-month hiatus with an outstanding performance, reminiscent of his prime years, effectively neutralizing Austria’s attacks and facilitating France’s forward play.

William Saliba was favored over Ibrahima Konaté in defense, displaying composure despite Deschamps’ known reservations about certain aspects of his play. Deschamps’ tactical decisions underscored his reputation for pragmatic and unyielding football, setting the groundwork for France’s campaign in Germany. The next challenge for France will be against the Netherlands on Friday.