Türkiye lost 1-0 to France at Kocaeli Stadium in their opening match of the UEFA Nations League A. Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute.
France claimed three points as the first half ended goalless, while Türkiye finished their opening match without a point. In the other group match, Belgium defeated Italy 2-0 away from home.
Both teams created chances in the first half
France came close in the 17th minute when Mbappe shot after receiving a pass from Olise, but the ball went narrowly wide. Türkiye threatened in the 27th minute when Barış Alper Yılmaz shot after Oğuz Aydın's pass, but the defense intervened.
In the 28th minute, Arda Güler crossed for Can Uzun, whose header was held by goalkeeper Maignan. During France's attack in the 41st minute, Merih Demiral slid in to block Cherki's close-range shot. In the 43rd minute, Uğurcan Çakır turned Olise's long-range effort behind for a corner.
Mbappe's goal puts France ahead
Early in the second half, Arda Güler's free kick deflected off the wall and went out for a corner. In the 50th minute, Maignan tipped İsmail Yüksek's header from Arda's corner over the bar.
France took the lead in the 54th minute. Olise collected the ball after the defense struggled to clear it and passed to Mbappe, who was advancing down the left. Mbappe controlled the ball before striking powerfully into the net.
Mbappe suffered an injury after the goal and remained on the pitch for a short time before being replaced by Desire Doue in the 59th minute. France had another chance through Kounde in the 69th minute, but the ball went wide of the post.
Türkiye came close to an equalizer through Arda Güler's shot in the 74th minute and Abdülkerim Bardakcı's overhead kick in the 76th minute. France's defense and goalkeeper Maignan denied both efforts.
Uğurcan Çakır sent off
During France's attack in the 84th minute, Barcola found himself one-on-one with Uğurcan Çakır. The incident, which ended with Uğurcan intervening, was reviewed after a VAR alert.
German referee Felix Zwayer ruled in the 87th minute that Uğurcan Çakır had handled the ball outside the penalty area and sent the national-team goalkeeper off with a red card. Türkiye played the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Melih Kabasakal makes his debut
Melih Kabasakal, who had received his first call-up to the squad, made his debut for the national team against France. Melih replaced İsmail Yüksek in the 88th minute.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella made his first substitutions in the 75th minute. Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Eren Elmalı came on for Oğuz Aydın and Can Uzun.
Barış Alper Yılmaz's shirt was torn during his challenge with France defender Upamecano. The national-team player went to the touchline in the 33rd minute to change his shirt.
Montella: I believe we deserved more
Türkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella said after the match that the game had been evenly contested and that his team had performed well. Montella said his players had played courageously and tried to implement their approach on the pitch, adding that he was disappointed with the result.
Montella said small mistakes can be decisive against teams with quality players such as France, adding that Mbappe's goal had also come after such a mistake. Saying that some players were unavailable, Montella said they would prepare for the upcoming match against Italy.
Osman Aşkın Bak: We competed well but could not take points
Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak thanked the Kocaeli supporters who backed the national team after the match. Bak said the team had competed well and created chances, adding that they conceded after a simple mistake.
Bak said there were important opponents in League A and that the team had a young squad. Pointing to the absence of players including Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız and Orkun Kökçü, Bak said the team should be trusted in the match against Italy in Bursa.
Arda Güler: We want to beat Italy
Arda Güler thanked the supporters who filled the stands and said they had done everything they could to beat France. Arda said they had competed well despite the injured players, adding that they were disappointed with the result and wanted to win against Italy.
Zidane pleased with France's victory
France head coach Zinedine Zidane said his team had played well overall and deserved the victory. Zidane said the Turkish team had put up a strong fight and added that his players needed to improve their pressing without the ball.
Zidane said they had prepared for Türkiye starting with a back three and planned to advance by sending balls to the wings. Saying France's next match would be against Belgium, Zidane added that Mbappe had pain in his knee and would leave the team.
Türkiye suffered their fifth defeat in their seventh match against France. The national team has scored five goals in those matches, while France's total against Türkiye has risen to 14.
