Nations League: Kylian Mbappé rescues draw for France against Austria

Kylian Mbappé struck a late equaliser to help the Nations League holders, France, salvage a 1-1 draw against Austria in Vienna.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who came on as a substitute after the break, found the back of the net with seven minutes to go, cancelling out Andreas Weimann’s opener for the hosts. The world champions are bottom of Group A1 with two points from three games – four behind the leaders, Denmark, who lost 1-0 at home to Croatia.

The France manager, Didier Deschamps, again shuffled his team as he looked to rest some key players after a long and demanding domestic season. The Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté won his first cap, with Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara getting a first start at wing-back.

In a lively start, Les Bleus came close in the 18th minute when Antoine Griezmann’s free-kick was deflected into the path of Karim Benzema, whose header was superbly stopped by Patrick Pentz. It was Austria who struck first, though, with the 30-year-old forward Weimann converting Konrad Laimer’s cross for his first international goal.

France had a good opportunity to level on the stroke of half-time, only for Benzema’s curled shot to be parried away by the impeccable Pentz. The keeper was at it again early in the second half to deny Benjamin Pavard and Kingsley Coman as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Deschamps then replaced Griezmann with Mbappé, who threatened immediately but saw his teammates run out of energy and ideas. With time running out, Mbappé collected a short pass from Christopher Nkunku before beating Pentz from inside the area with a clinical shot. He came close to doubling the tally four minutes later when Pentz deflected his attempt on to the bar after a one-two with Benzema.

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