Mbappe goal earns Zidane winning start

Zidane began his tenure as France manager with victory in Turkey, although the result was overshadowed by an injury to captain Mbappe.

France dominated possession during the first half but found Turkey difficult to break down. The hosts defended in numbers and threatened on the counter, with Ferdi Kadioglu seeing a header saved by Mike Maignan.

France gradually increased the pressure before the break. Ousmane Dembele combined with Rayan Cherki, but the youngster's effort was blocked, while Michael Olise forced a fine save from Ugurcan Cakir with a curling effort.

Turkey came out strongly after half-time and nearly took the lead when Ismail Yuksek met Arda Guler's corner. Maignan reacted quickly to keep out his header.

France then found the breakthrough in the 54th minute.

Cakir failed to clear the danger and Olise picked out Mbappe, who calmly finished at the near post.

Mbappe immediately appeared to be in discomfort and held his left knee rather than celebrating. He attempted to continue but was replaced four minutes later by Desire Doue.

Zidane later confirmed that Mbappe had hyperextended his left knee and indicated that the forward was unlikely to be risked in France's next matches.

"I think he'll have to return to Madrid," Zidane told TF1. "We won't take any risks. He hyperextended his knee when taking the shot."

France had opportunities to add a second through Jules Kounde and Olise, while Turkey continued to push for an equaliser.

Their task became even harder late on when Cakir was sent off for handling the ball outside his area while attempting to close down Bradley Barcola.

The victory gave Zidane a winning start and put France in a strong position at the beginning of their Nations League campaign.

Godts and Lukebakio punish Italy

Belgium produced one of the night's most impressive results as they defeated Italy 2-0 in Rome to spoil Roberto Mancini's return to the Azzurri dugout.

Mancini was facing new Belgium head coach Mark van Bommel, but it was the visitors who controlled much of the contest.

Belgium opened the scoring when Mika Godts collected Kevin De Bruyne's pass and worked his way into the box before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma for his first senior international goal.

Donnarumma then kept Italy in the game with a brilliant double save, denying Charles De Ketelaere and Nicolas Raskin in quick succession.

The Italy goalkeeper was called upon again to keep out a Godts header, while Moise Kean missed an opportunity to level when he fired into the side netting.

Italy improved after the interval and almost equalised when Senne Lammens produced an excellent save with his outstretched right leg to deny Kean.

The Manchester United goalkeeper then saved from Pio Esposito as Italy continued to threaten.

Belgium, however, struck again on the counter.

Substitute Dodi Lukebakio had been on the pitch for only 11 minutes when he finished a rapid attack with a powerful low strike into the bottom corner.

Italy pushed for a response, with Riccardo Calafiori narrowly missing the target and Giorgio Scalvini hitting the crossbar late on.

Belgium held on to claim a convincing victory and continue their strong recent run, while Italy were left to reflect on another frustrating result in Mancini's return.

South Africa shine in 2023 AFCON awards ceremony