Zidane Begins in Kocaeli: A Win Signed by Mbappé, and a Worry the Size of France

France leave Türkiye with a single-goal victory on Zinedine Zidane's first night as head coach. Mbappé scores, then limps off injured.

Dr. Talal Othman, General Manager — GCC Sport

Great stories rarely open with a grand show. More often they turn on a small detail. In Kocaeli, on the evening of 25 September, Zinedine Zidane opened his time in charge of France with a 1-0 win over Türkiye in the first round of the UEFA Nations League (League A, Group 1). The win came with a worry attached. Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the match, then left the pitch holding his knee.

A Half of Waiting

Zidane picked a side that mixed experience with daring. Mike Maignan started in goal, with Upamecano, Koundé, Lacroix and Truffert in front of him. Koné and Rabiot held midfield. Ahead of them sat a creative attacking trio of Dembélé, Olise and Cherki, with Mbappé leading the line. Vincenzo Montella bet on Arda Güler's skill and Barış Alper Yılmaz's pace, and on İsmail Yüksek to control midfield and break France's rhythm.

The first half ended goalless. Its best moment was a superb save from Uğurcan Çakır, who pushed an Olise effort behind for a corner just before the break. At that point the Turkish keeper looked like the hero of the night. He had no idea the final scene would be written against him.

Nine Minutes That Settled It

Türkiye nearly went ahead in the 50th minute. Yüksek rose for a powerful header, and Maignan flew to keep it out. Four minutes later France struck back after a Turkish defensive error. Olise picked up the ball and slipped a precise through pass to Mbappé, who ran on and finished into the near corner past Çakır. It was Mbappé as we know him: pace, composure and a finishing touch that needs only one chance.

The Price of the Goal

The French celebrations had barely started when pain showed on Mbappé's face. Reports suggest he hurt his knee as he took the shot. He tried to carry on, then gave in and was replaced by Désiré Doué. The joy turned into a question that goes beyond France: how long will the Real Madrid star be out? Madrid is waiting for the answer as anxiously as Paris.

Çakır's Final Fall

In the closing minutes, with Türkiye pushing for an equaliser, Bradley Barcola broke clear toward goal. Çakır came out to stop him and handled the ball outside the box. The referee checked with VAR and showed a straight red card. So ended the night of a goalkeeper who had rescued his team in the first half and was sent off at the end of the second.

Reading the First Night

France's performance is not enough to judge Zidane's project, but it does show its first outlines:

  • The result before the spectacle: France did not dazzle, but they took the points from a hard ground in front of a hostile crowd. Zidane has known since his Madrid days that trophies are built on wins like this.
  • Olise steps forward: He was France's most dangerous player in the first half, then set up the winner. He looks like a leading candidate to be one of the pillars of the new era.
  • The reliance on Mbappé: The goal came from Mbappé, and so did the worry. If his absence runs long, Zidane will face a hard question early on: how does France score when their captain isn't on the pitch?

Türkiye lost the match without losing respect. They competed, pressed and made their chance, but were reminded once again that big teams don't need to control a game to win it.

Next Stop

On 28 September, France face Belgium and Türkiye play Italy. Zidane goes into that game with three points and an open medical file. Montella goes in without his first-choice goalkeeper, who is suspended.

Zidane won his first night. Mbappé wrote the opening with his foot, and he may be forced to watch the next chapter from the stands.