Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the match before being forced off with a knee injury as France defeated Turkey 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, in new coach Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge.
The Real Madrid forward, deployed on the left wing by Zidane rather than through the centre as he had been under former coach Didier Deschamps, netted his 67th international goal after being set up by Michael Olise. France's all-time top scorer controlled the ball and fired low into the net at the near post.
Mbappe was visibly in pain as his teammates came to celebrate at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, around 100 kilometres outside Istanbul.
He attempted to continue after receiving treatment but eventually slumped to the ground, prodding the outside of his left knee before walking off to be replaced by Desire Doue.
Both France and Real Madrid now face an anxious wait to learn the extent of the injury. France are scheduled to play three more matches over the next 10 days before the club season resumes.
The injury to his captain and star player overshadowed what was otherwise a winning start for Zidane, who was appointed France coach in late July on a contract running to 2030.
The 1998 World Cup winner is returning to elite coaching for the first time since his second spell in charge of Real Madrid ended in 2021.
Zidane's team selection was not dramatically different from the side that featured regularly at the recent World Cup, where France were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual winners Spain. Mbappe finished that tournament as top scorer with 10 goals. Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert started at left-back, while Manchester City's Rayan Cherki also came into the starting lineup.
Olise, the Bayern Munich winger, came close to opening the scoring late in the first half when his strike was tipped over by Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan then made a key save at the start of the second half, turning away an attempt by Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Mbappe's goal arrived shortly after. France later struck the post through Jules Kounde before Turkey were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages.
Goalkeeper Cakir rushed out of his area to stop substitute Bradley Barcola as the Frenchman broke through on goal. Referee Felix Zwayer initially waved play on, but after a VAR review ruled that Cakir had handled the ball outside the area, the goalkeeper was shown a red card.
France, placed in Group A1 of this Nations League edition, travel to Brussels on Monday to face Belgium, who beat Italy 2-0 away on Friday.
Zidane, whose final appearance as a player came for France against Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, will make his home debut as coach the following Friday when Italy visit the Stade de France.
Turkey, coached by former Italian international Vincenzo Montella, host Italy on Monday.
