Zidane begins France reign with 1-0 win over Turkey

France began the Zinedine Zidane era with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Turkey in their UEFA Nations League opener at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit on Friday, though the victory was overshadowed by a knee injury to captain Kylian Mbappé.

After a goalless first half, France broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Mbappé, set up by Michael Olise, drove a low finish past Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır for his 67th international goal — extending his record as France's all-time top scorer. 

Moments after celebrating, Mbappé was seen wincing and holding his left knee, and he was substituted in the 59th minute for Désiré Doué. 

The French Football Federation later confirmed a knee tendon injury, with Mbappé set to leave the squad and return to Madrid for further assessment. "It's not great. Unfortunately I think he is going to have to go home. We don't want to take any risks," Zidane told broadcaster TF1.

Turkey, coached by Vincenzo Montella, pushed hard for an equalizer and came close early in the second half, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan denying a header from İsmail Yüksek off an Arda Güler corner. 

The Turkish playmaker, in the starting lineup and on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, remained a threat from distance throughout. 

Turkey's night worsened three minutes from time when Çakır was sent off for handling the ball outside his area, forcing an outfield player into goal as France closed out the win with a one-man advantage.

The result marked Zidane's first match in charge of Les Bleus since taking over from Didier Deschamps, and made him the first France coach to win his managerial debut since Aimé Jacquet in 1994. 

"It's very emotional. It's a successful debut," Zidane said afterward, while acknowledging the tactical "balance" his side still needs to find. France, who finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup, next travel to face Belgium on Monday — a fixture they will now approach without their captain and record scorer.