Favourites France launched their Group D campaign at Euro 2024 on Monday night with a 1-0 victory over Austria.
Maximilian Wöber's own-goal in the 38th minute was the difference between the sides at the Düsseldorf Arena.
The 26-year-old Leeds United defender headed Kylian Mbappé's cross into the box ball past goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.
It was rough justice for the Austrians who could have taken the lead shortly before when skipper Marcel Sabitzer cushioned a pass into the path of Christoph Baumgartner but his shot was deflected wide by the France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Ten minutes after the break, Mbappé fluffed a good chance to double the advantage.
The 25-year-old sprinted on to a through past Kevin Danso and Wöber and bore down on the goal but with only Pentz to beat, he sent his effort wide to the right.
Though Austria continued to deploy the high energy game of coach Ralf Rangnick, they could not secure the equaliser.
Just before full-time, Mbappé was shown a yellow card for gamesmanship after leaving the field to receive treatment for a face injury and then going back on the pitch and sitting down on the turf.
Challenge
France went into the game at the courting controversy after strikers Marcus Thuram and Mbappé spoke out about the far-right parties gaining power in France after President Emmanuel Macron called a general election following the Europe.
Mbappé, who will start his career at Real Madrid in August after seven years at Paris Saint-Germain, called on young people in France to go out and vote in the two rounds on 30 June and 7 July.
"The European championships have a very important place in our careers, but I think that we're citizens above all and I don't think we should be disconnected from the world around us, and even less so when it concerns our country," said Mbappé.
"I really hope we make the right choice and I hope we'll still be proud to wear the France jersey on the seventh of July."
Earlier on Monday in Group D, Netherlands beat Poland 2-1. In Group E, Romania took early command of the pool with a 3-0 pummelling of Ukraine. Nicolae Stanciu opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Răazvan Marin and Denis Dragus added the second and third shortly after the half-time pause.
Slovakia are second following a 1-0 shock over favourites Belgium. Ivan Schranz scored in the seventh minute at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.
