UEFA Nations League: Olise and Mbappé combine to secure France’s win in Türkiye | OneFootball

Michael Olise registered yet another assist in France colors as Zinedine Zidane started his much-awaited era with a narrow win in Türkiye. The two-time World Cup winners struggled to create multiple chances, but a solitary Kylian Mbappé strike was enough to start their UEFA Nations League campaign with three points.

After limiting their prestigious opponents in the first half, the hosts paid for their reckless buildup play ten minutes after the restart. Olise, who tied Pele’s World Cup record of seven assists in a single tournament, produced a pinpoint pass in the direction of his captain to seal France’s victory.

However, Mbappé had to be subbed off immediately with an injury. It remains to be seen whether the Ballon d’Or hopeful stays with the national team for the remaining three games as further tests are required to fully understand the extent of the injury.

Olise was one of the best performers until he was replaced by Liverpool’s big-money signing Bradley Barcola ten minutes from time. With a trademark effort, he came close to scoring his first Les Bleus goal since a hat-trick against Northern Ireland when Uğurcan Çakır produced a brilliant save.

Türkiye’s goalkeeper didn’t finish the game as he saw a straight red card before the eight-minute injury-time for a handball outside his box. Playing alongside former Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, Olise’s clubmate Dayot Upamecano kept a clean sheet.

The center-back saw a yellow card for the first time since the quarter-final first leg of the previous Nations League campaign. The 27-year-old has only been cautioned four times in 47 appearances for France.

Before his first game against Italy at the iconic Stade de France, where he scored a World Cup final brace in 1998, Zidane will now face Belgium away from home. Türkiye, who are competing in League A of the Nations League for the first time, will stay at home for their game against Italy.

Belgium ruined Roberto Mancini’s second Italian debut in the other encounter from the group. Former Bundesliga striker Dodi Lukebakio scored the second goal as Marc van Bommel started his journey with an impressive 2-0 victory at Stadio Olimpico.