Kylian Mbappé appeared to suffer a knee problem shortly after netting France’s winning goal against Turkey in Friday’s Nations League encounter.
The Real Madrid forward fired a low effort into the net in the 55th minute following an assist from Michael Olise. Not long after claiming his record-extending 67th international goal, Mbappé dropped to the turf in visible discomfort and held the area around his left knee.
France’s new manager, Zinedine Zidane, brought on Désiré Doué in Mbappé’s place. The captain managed to leave the pitch without assistance, although Zidane later indicated that he would probably return to Real Madrid to receive treatment.
“The situation does not look good. Sadly, I believe he [Mbappé] will need to return home because we are unwilling to take any chances,” Zidane told French television channel TF1. “He stretched his knee too far when taking the shot, so the early signs are concerning.”
Jules Koundé struck the woodwork for France before Turkey went down to 10 players. Goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir received a red card after handling outside his penalty area when Bradley Barcola had broken through on goal.
In the other Group A2 fixture, Roberto Mancini’s return for a second spell in charge of Italy began with loud jeers after his team suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Belgium.
Mika Godts celebrated his first competitive international appearance by scoring an impressive solo goal after 20 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico. Dodi Lukebakio then sealed a commanding victory for the visitors with a powerful finish in the 69th minute.
The result provided a positive opening for new Belgium manager Mark van Bommel, who replaced Rudi Garcia after the Red Devils reached the World Cup quarter-finals. Belgium welcome France on Monday, while Italy face an away match against Turkey.
Earlier in Tbilisi, Shea Charles delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner after his brother Pierce denied Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from the penalty spot, giving Northern Ireland a 1-0 victory over Georgia in their opening Nations League fixture.
Pierce Charles went the correct way to stop Kvaratskhelia’s weak 65th-minute penalty. He had already produced a superb save from Georges Mikautadze’s close-range attempt earlier in the second half of the Group B2 contest.
Shea Charles had previously failed to convert the visitors’ clearest opportunities, but he forced the ball home from Trai Hume’s cross in the ninth minute of added time. His goal earned Northern Ireland their first Nations League away victory.
A tense offside review followed, but the goal was eventually confirmed, allowing Shea Charles to celebrate only his second strike at international level. Northern Ireland’s joy was tempered late on when defender Dan Ballard stopped with an apparent hamstring injury.
Michael O’Neill was unhappy with several calls made by referee Orel Grinfeeld, particularly the penalty awarded following a clash between Ballard and Luka Locoshvili. The decision came after Grinfeeld reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor. Northern Ireland’s next opponents, Hungary, suffered a 1-0 home loss to Ukraine, with Danylo Sikan scoring the decisive goal in Budapest.
In Group B4, Sweden earned a 2-1 victory at home to Romania, as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres found the net for Graham Potter’s team. Elsewhere in the group, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina played out a scoreless draw in Warsaw.
In third-tier Group C2, Milution Osmajic scored in the 86th minute as Montenegro came from behind to defeat Cyprus in Podgorica. Marcus Edwards put the visitors ahead on his international debut, but Nikola Krstovic equalised before Osmajic completed the turnaround. Armenia lead the group following an earlier 2-0 home victory over Latvia on Friday.
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