France get their Euro 2024 campaign underway in Group D with a tantilising match versus Austria. Les Bleus are hotly tipped as one of the favourites to win this tournament having finished second in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a very similar squad at their disposal.
Manager Didier Deschamps takes charge of his sixth major tournament with France and should he lead France to glory in Germany, he will become only the second person to win a European Championship as both a player and a manager – a feat he has already achieved with the World Cup following France’s 2018 triumph.
However, France face an interesting team for their opening match in Ralf Rangnick’s Austria. On the back of an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them finish second behind Belgium, the Austrians favour a high pressing game with pace in transition.
Follow all the latest news and match action in our live blog below, as well as the build-up to the next match between Austria and France:
FULL-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
The first shock of Euro 2024!
Follow all the reaction here:
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 19:05
TEAM NEWS!
Here are the confirmed line-ups for today’s clash in Dusseldorf:
Austria: Pentz; Posch, Wober, Danso, Mwene; Laimer, Seiwald; Grillitsch, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Gregoritsch
France: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández; Griezmann, Kanté, Rabiot; Dembélé, Thuram, Mbappé
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 18:58
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick on their Euro 2024 opener:
“With France we might have the strongest opponents of all right at the start [of the tournament]. They are the absolute favourites for the title, not only at this EURO, but also in two years at the World Cup.
“France surely must be the nation with the highest quality. Even if the starting XI are injured, the 11 substitutes are not much weaker. So the first match will be a huge challenge.
“Afterwards, we’ll see. We’ll only know our next opponents in March after the play-off games. And then the third match is against the Netherlands.
“If you want to get through that group, you’ll need at least four, but maybe even five or six points, and we’re aware of that situation.”
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 18:44
75 mins – LATEST: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Follow all the action from Frankfurt LIVE here:
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 18:33
France boss Didier Deschamps on William Saliba:
“William is one of the very best defenders in the Premier League. I want him to do what he does very well at Arsenal. He had a very, very good season.
“He played many matches, especially with his partner Gabriel, and they were a fundamental part of what Arsenal did this season, particularly in the defensive aspect.
“With us, he has not had the same playing time. There are automatisms which develop through playing matches together. You have repetition and understanding.
“With a national team, we always have so little time, but now they have the possibility of living together for a few weeks and that is even better.”
Will Saliba start tonight?
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 18:17
HALF-TIME – LATEST: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Follow all the action from Frankfurt LIVE here:
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 17:46
What happened in the other Group D fixture?
The Netherlands snatched a late win against Poland yesterday – here’s Rich Jolly’s match report:
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 17:36
Kylian Mbappe urges youth to vote against ‘extremes’ in French elections
Some fascinating words from France’s captain last night…
Kieran Jackson17 June 2024 17:22
Is Austria vs France on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture online tonight
France kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria as tournament favourites in their Group D opener in Dusseldorf.
Les Bleues were stunned in the last-16 by Switzerland at Euro 2020 before going on to reach the World Cup final in Qatar to continue their impressive recent record at major tournaments under Didier Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappe will be looking to score his first goal at the Euros after shining at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – the new Real Madrid forward missed the decisive penalty as France were knocked out three years ago.
France’s strength and depth and tournament record should see them progress from a tricky Group D, which includes the Netherlands and Poland, but Austria have been transformed under Ralf Rangnick and are ones to watch.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group D fixture.
Jamie Braidwood17 June 2024 17:13