Football

Zinédine Zidane successfully debuts as coach of the French national team

In his first match as manager, Zinédine Zidane led France to a victory against Turkey, marked by a goal from Kylian Mbappé, despite an injury.

26 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Zinédine Zidane successfully debuts as coach of the French national team — Photo: Zinedine Zidane 2008.jpg : Raphaël Labbé derivative work: Memorino · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Zinédine Zidane made his debut as coach of the French national team during a match against Turkey in the Nations League on Friday in Izmit. The team won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé in the 54th minute. This victory marks the first official match under Zidane's leadership, who took office in July, succeeding Didier Deschamps after 14 years in charge.

Before the kickoff, Zidane expressed an "immense emotion" about his debut on the bench for Les Bleus. Despite a reserved demeanor, he showed his satisfaction in holding this position, a feeling that was evident during his presence on the pitch. However, just before the match began, he was late and missed the opening notes of La Marseillaise, an incident he took humorously after the match.

The match proved to be a test for Zidane, especially given the defensive challenges the team faced. Despite moments of tension, Les Bleus managed to assert themselves with a solid yet minimalist performance, reflective of this modest victory. Mbappé injured his knee shortly after scoring and had to leave the pitch, raising concerns about his condition.

After the match, the coach acknowledged the importance of balance in gameplay, highlighting the good behavior of his players when losing the ball. Despite defensive worries, the team showed resilience, and Zidane expressed satisfaction with the collective performance, noting that the result was promising for the future.

France, which is in Group 1 of the Nations League, needed this victory as it prepares for upcoming matches against other European rivals. The fact that Zidane, an icon of French football, is leading the team brings new momentum and hope for the supporters.

In conclusion, this first match for Zinédine Zidane on the bench has been a success despite some complications. The victory allows the team to embark on this new era with optimism, although Mbappé's injury raises questions for future encounters.

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