PLAYER RATINGS: Which former Premier League star stole the show for France? Which French attacker MUST do more to stay in the team? And which Austria defender had an evening to forget?

17/06/2024

Kylian Mbappe's trickery caused a mistake from Austria which put France aheadRalf Rangnick's Austria put up a valiant fight but their defending was ominousLISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! How Kylian Mbappe has shown 'astounding' leadership

Kylian Mbappe's wait for a goal at a European Championships goes on but one of Euro 2024's favourites are off the mark after a 1-0 win over Austria.

France will know this should have been more but for some erroneous finishing, not least from Mbappe when he was sent through one versus one.

Austria look a totally different proposition these days under former Manchester United caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick, and they will still harbour plenty of hopes for the remainder of the tournament.

In the end it was a former Premier League star that stole the show and sent a reminder just why he has absolutely no business in Saudi Arabia.

Here, Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT runs the rule over the two teams...

France ran out narrow winners over Austria as Kylian Mbappe's cross led to an own goal

Austria are a high-pressing team now under the guidance of manager Ralf Rangnick (middle)

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AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1)

Patrick Pentz - 6

Made a strong early save on Kylian Mbappe to find his feet in Dusseldorf. Could do absolutely nothing about the own goal opener, mind you.

Phillipp Mwene - 5

Made a very silly challenge on Ousmane Dembele which earned him a booking after half an hour. Got turned inside out by Mbappe moments prior to the opening goal, too. Booked.

Maximilian Wöber - 4

Nightmare evening for the Leeds United centre back. Never looked comfortable after picking up an early yellow card and then his passes soon left Austria exposed. His own goal was unfortunate but left a lot to be desired in terms of his positioning. Hooked early and needs to do much better.

Maximilian Wöber (middle) endured a miserable evening as his own goal separated the teams

Kevin Danso - 5.5

Was made to look serviceable by the fact his defensive partner was a liability for the large part. The fact this ended up as only one goal was more to do with France’s erroneous finishing rather than a solid defensive showing. Booked.

Austria fans FUME after being denied corner against France just moments before Les Blues score

Stefan Posch - 5

Name a tougher assignment in world football right now than marking Kylian Mbappe and Theo Hernandez? Posch’s head is probably still spinning but Stefan, it gets easier from here…

Florian Grillitsch - 6

Was the first of the holding midfielders to be hooked by Ralf Rangnick but this was a performance that showed exactly what this new version of Austria are like. It’s just a shame for them and Grillitsch that he ran into N’Golo Kante in full flight.

Nicolas Seiwald - 6.5

Looked to spread France out by switching play but there are so few locks able to be picked when you face teams as good as this one. Should fine more joy when the Netherlands and Poland come up against them.

Christoph Baumgartner - 6.5

Brightest Austrian player on the night. He may well have a sleepless night, though, after he had a huge chance to open the scoring when he got in between Saliba and Upamecano. Couldn’t lift it over Maignan and Austria never carved out another chance of that quality thereafter.

Christoph Baumgartner will be left to rue his costly miss as Austria struggled to make chances

Marcel Sabitzer - 5

Invisible for large spells and that can’t go on if Austria - so many peoples dark horses - are to make much noise in this tournament. The former Manchester United midfielder appeared to be so ineffective when shoved out on the left and it was no great shock to see him drift inside time and again.

Didier Deschamps' France begin their Euro 2024 campaign with 1-0 win over Austria

Konrad Laimer - 6

His best asset on the night was his pace to harry Maignan into booting the ball long. Didn’t get much change out of Theo Hernandez but few wingers do. There are far easier assignments in this group. Booked.

Michael Gregoritsch - 6

Didn't do enough to ruffle the feathers of Saliba or Upamecano. In truth, chances were at a real premium and getting into the game was very tough indeed.

COACH: Ralf Rangnick - 6

The former Man United caretaker boss takes plenty of stick for his time at Old Trafford but he seems to have found a home with Austria, who are much improved under his management. Will no doubt have seen enough on show here to believe they can trouble the other teams in this group.

SUBS

Gernot Trauner (for Maximilian Wober, 59) - 5

Marko Arnautovic (for Michael Gregoritsch, 59) - 5

Patrick Wimmer (for Florian Grillitsch, 59) - 6

Romano Schmid (for Konrad Laimer, 90+1)

FRANCE (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan - 6

Had very little to do in truth but made himself big when Austria had their best chance in the first half after a breakdown in communication between Saliba and Upamecano. The speed at which he distributes is such an asset to this team.

Theo Hernandez - 7.5

The AC Milan full-back is an Incredible ball carrier when in full flight and had his decision-making been better in the early stages he may have had a pair of assists. More than capable of being the stand-out full-back in this entire tournament.

Theo Hernandez (right) gave a snapshot of his quality as he was fabulous as a ball carrier

Dayot Upamecano - 7

A composed and quiet evening which won’t have gone down badly with his manager. The physically imposing centre back snuffled out much of the danger and will be happy with his evening’s work.

Inside the life of Kylian Mbappe: From poverty in Paris to Real Madrid superstardom

William Saliba - 7.5

Looked nervous to start and took a while to settle down but when he did he was a gem. It was almost like he remembered he belongs at this level and from there Austria got little to no change out of him. What a season he’s having.

Jules Kounde - 6.5

Had a few hairy moments but showed brilliant recovery pace to amend for any mistakes he did make. Needed to be more clinical in the box at the other end when he had a golden opportunity to double France’s lead.

Adrien Rabiot - 6

Fans were left scratching their heads at his inclusion ahead of Eduardo Camavinga - but Rabiot did not disgrace himself. He was a real pest in midfield, nipping in to win the ball back and create transition opportunities.

N’Golo Kante - 8

This felt like a performance that had viewers and fans bathing in nostalgia. The former Leicester City and Chelsea midfielder sent a timely reminder here that he can still run games at the highest level despite playing in Saudi Arabia these days. A brilliant display.

N'Golo Kante was head and shoulders above everyone else in this man of the match display

Antoine Griezmann - 6.5

Technically marvellous and is given license to roam with Kante mopping up behind in this set-up. Became slightly more withdrawn in the second half after being left with a bloodied head following a nasty shove into the advertising boards.

Marcus Thuram - 5

Didn’t do enough given the talent on the bench pushing for a start and may well be looking over his shoulder ahead of the next match.

Kylian Mbappe - 7

Course it was him who forced the opener. Drifted out to the right and he beat four men to the byline before his cross was headed in by Wober. And yet before appearing to break his nose in the closing stages, the big talking point was how he staggeringly missed a one v one opportunity that he could only laugh at. Everyone in Dusseldorf and beyond could not believe their eyes. Booked.

Kylian Mbappe's wait for a Euros goal goes on - and he left proceedings with a broken nose

Ousmane Dembele - 6

A total nuisance for Austria and it was no surprise the left back and the centre back tasked with keeping him quiet both got booked. Still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of his decision making but his pace and trickery mean he cannot be ignored. Booked.

COACH: Didier Deschamps - 7

In his 100th game in charge it was a win that should have been much more comfortable. Picked up a booking for a furious reaction late in the game when Mbappe was carded for returning to the pitch to stop the play for an injury.