France forward Kylian Mbappe got his own back on Marcel Sabitzer on Monday after the Austrian midfielder helped deny him Champions League glory with Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, who will play for Real Madrid from the 2024-25 season onwards, never won European club football's top trophy during his seven years in Paris. He came close to a second final in 2024, only for his PSG side to lose home and away to Sabitzer's Borussia Dortmund in the semis.
The pair faced off again in Dusseldorf in their respective national teams' Euro 2024 opener. Both wore the captain's armband, with Sabitzer leading out his team in the absence of injured skipper David Alaba.
While Mbappe didn't net, missing a one-on-one in the second half, an earlier own goal from Maximilian Wober war enough to give Les Bleus victory. It might not make up entirely for that Champions League disappointment, but avoiding another upset won't hurt.
Back in May, PSG were favourites to overcome Dortmund despite finishing behind them in the group stage. They took four points off Edin Terzic's side in the groups but lost 1-0 at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg.
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After that result, Sabitzer shared a simple message on social media, writing the words 'First leg' with a check-mark emoji. Things got even better for Dortmund in the return leg at the Parc des Princes, where Mats Hummels' goal secured a 1-0 win on the night and a 2-0 aggregate victory.
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Dortmund weren't able to follow that result with a win in the final at Wembley, falling to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Real Madrid. Mbappe himself will be in Madrid colours next season, though he's looking to add a Euro 2024 victory with France before then.
What did you make of Mbappe's performance against Austria? Have your say in the comments section
Mbappe suffered a broken nose in his team's win (Getty Images)Despite coming out on the winning side in Dusseldorf, it was a painful night for Mbappe in the most literal sense. The 25-year-old suffered a broken nose in the match, missing the final few minutes of the action.
“He’s not doing well,” France manager Didier Deschamps said of Mbappe after his team's victory. “His nose got badly hit, that’s for sure. We need to check it out, but it seems quite complicated."
The French Football Federation would later put out a more encouraging statement. “Kylian Mbappe suffered a broken nose during the second part of the Austria-France held this Monday in Düsseldorf," the statement began.
"The captain of France was treated first by the medical staff and Dr Franck Le Gall, who diagnosed him with a nose fracture. Mbappe will receive treatment in the next few days, but he will not undergo surgery in the immediate future A mask will be made for him so that the number 10 of the French national team can prepare for his return to the competition after a period dedicated to treatment."
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