Barcelona have been handed an injury blow during the ongoing international break after new signing Jules Kounde suffered an injury during this season’s UEFA Nations League clash between France and Austria on Thursday night. The Barcelona defender had to leave the field around the midway point of the first half due to the injury and he was replaced by Arsenal defender William Saliba. In his post-match press conference, France manager Didier Deschamps informed journalists that Kounde suffered a muscle injury in the first half and he had to leave the home game against the Austrians as a result.

Frenchman Kounde is one of the new faces at Barcelona following his move from fellow Spanish La Liga side Sevilla. Barcelona saw off the competition from Premier League side Chelsea to sign him.

As at the time of the exit of Kounde, France and Austria had not scored a single goal between them though it was the French team who had the lion share of possession. There were no goals scored in the first half of the game which is from Group A1 of this season’s Nations League.

Without the aforementioned Kounde, France scored twice in nine second half minutesagainst the Austrians to secure their first win of Group A4 in this season’s UEFA Nations League. The reigning world champions had failed to record a win in any of their first four matches in the group.

Paris Saint Germain (PSG) attacker KylianMbappe was responsible for breaking the deadlock during the latest game between France and Austria. Mbappe scored his goal eleven minutes into the second half before AC Milan star Olivier Giroud scored nine minutes later to double the lead for France and wrap up the win. With his goal, Giroud is closing in on the all-time highest goalscorer’s record currently held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

Ex-Arsenal striker Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France before he retired from international football in 2010. Giroud has 49 goals in 113 games for France.