Members of France's Euro 2024 squad play in bizarre friendly against Paderborn U21s days before Netherlands clash

France players who did not feature during the win against Austria have played part in a bizarre friendly to keep their fitness up.

Didier Deschamps' side, who have been finalists in the last three major international tournaments, kickstarted their campaign with a 1-0 win against Austria.

Kylian Mbappe was influential in breaking the deadlock after Les Bleus had been kept quiet for most of the opening stages of the game.

After some neat work down the right wing, the newly-signed Real Madrid man fired a lethal cross into the box, which cannoned off Leeds United's Max Wober and went into his own net.

The goal would prove to be decisive as France secured the win in their first game of the group stages. However, it did come at quite the cost, after Mbappe was forced off in the second half after breaking his nose.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star was replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 90th minute, with Antoine Griezmann also making way for Youssouf Fofana. Elsewhere, Ousmane Dembele and Adrien Rabiot were also swapped for Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga respectively.

Deschamps opted for several changes during the game in order to keep his players fresh - but is also keen to keep other members of the squad fit, even if they weren't involved during the fixture.

🇫🇷⚡️ France players who did not feature much in their first game had a mini friendly vs Paderborn u21. They won 7-0. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/QyhYHO0ZRS

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 20, 2024

Players such as Kingsley Coman, Ibrahim Konate and Benjamin Pavard - who did not make an appearance off the bench - have been involved in a oddly-timed friendly against Paderborn U21 side in order to stay razor sharp.

As expected, the experience of the French internationals proved crucial as they cruised past the youth team with a 7-0 win thanks to a hat-trick from Bradley Barcola and goals from Kolo Muani, Coman, Fofana and Konaté.

France fans will be hoping they can replicate this scoreline against Netherlands in the next Euro 2024 fixture - but may well have to navigate their way past the Dutch without their star man Mbappe.