DUSEELDORF, Germany: France captain Kylian Mbappe broke his nose during his side's 1-0 win over Austria at Euro 2024, a source close to the player told AFP.
Mbappe's head violently collided with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso as they competed for the ball in the air. The star striker left the pitch in the 90th minute as blood poured from his nose.
Play initially continued after the accidental collision with Mbappe prone in the opposition box until Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz signalled to the referee that the Frenchman required attention.
Mbappe was treated by the France medical team and his white shirt was streaked with blood as he wandered down the touchline holding his nose.
Mbappe came back onto the pitch and promptly sat down as the referee brandished a yellow card in his direction for re-entering the field of play without permission. Mbappe was then replaced of veteran attacker Olivier Giroud.
"His nose isn't good at all... it's obviously the bad point of this match. It's very worrying for us," said France coach Didier Deschamps just after the end of the match.
France continue their Euro campaign against group D leaders the Netherlands on Friday.