No reproach from Austria over Wober's own goal against France - Rangnick

DUESSELDORF, Germany : Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said there would be no pointing fingers at defender Max Wober over his headed own goal in the 1-0 defeat by France in their Euro 2024 opener on Monday.

Austria, who had only lost one of their last 16 matches, went toe-to-toe with the World Cup runners-up but in the 38th minute France captain Kylian Mbappe weaved through the defence and Wober diverted his cross past goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

"Well, it's obvious that we are disappointed with this result. In 100 minutes we didn't concede one goal from France, the only goal was a very unfortunate own goal," Rangnick told reporters. "There's no reproach at all towards Maxi Wober.

"But what is really important is that he doesn't reproach himself. Among the team members, among the staff, everybody knows it was a situation that was super unfortunate. He received the ball on his head and couldn't do anything."

Wober was consoled by team mates after the goal.

Two minutes earlier, Christoph Baumgartner had a brilliant opportunity to put Austria on the board when captain Marcel Sabitzer touched a Michael Gregoritsch cross into the forward's path but his shot was deflected wide by keeper Mike Maignan.

"The biggest chance for us, normally (Baumgartner) would score in such a situation," Rangnick said. "Of course, France also created their chances, Patrick Pentz did a great job.

"But I think that (France manager) Didier Deschamps was really happy when the final whistle came, and I think that shows the great performance of my team.

"There is not one reproach towards my team. They put everything on the page. They probably didn't make the right decision in every moment - but let's not forget who was the opponent."

Austria, who have only once