For the most part, William Saliba gave an excellent effort in his UEFA EURO 2024 debut. He completed the most passes in the game with 59 accurate passes over his whole ninety-nine-minute performance. In addition, he executed three of the four long passes with accuracy and succeeded in his one attempt at dribbling. Saliba won three aerial duels and made six clearances and seven ball recoveries in defence. Interestingly, he was not at all dribbled past.

Sabitzer streaks through on the left looking to run onto the ball in the box, but is set upon by Saliba and Upamecano. He goes down and cries go up for a penalty – but the referee waves away concerns immediately.

VAR certainly doesn’t seem bothered, neglecting to make even a cursory check.

Saliba should have done better in a couple of places, such the slightly misjudged headed clearing that gave Austria an opportunity. Saliba’s out-of-position play at left center-back, as opposed to his more comfortable right-sided job at Arsenal, is probably the cause of this. Being a right-footed player, he occasionally appeared a little uneasy when Austria pressed high and he had to make snap judgements on his weaker left side.

Saliba’s big-stage debut was, nevertheless, altogether quite promising. With additional time to acclimatise to his international teammates and settle into the left-sided center-back position, he appears capable of being a dependable player for France in the future.