UEFA Nations League: Mbappe scores but suffers knee injury as Zidane gets debut France win

Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the game before having to come off, grimacing with a knee injury as France won 1-0 in Turkey in the UEFA Nations League in new coach Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge on Friday (September 25, 2026).

The Real Madrid superstar was moved out to the left wing by his new coach after being used through the middle of the French attack under former coach Didier Deschamps at the recent World Cup, where he ended as the top scorer with 10 goals.

It was from the left that Mbappe, France's all-time top scorer, notched his 67 th international goal, controlling and firing in low at the near post after being set up by Michael Olise.

He winced in pain as his teammates came across to celebrate the goal at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, just over 100 kilometres outside Istanbul.