France started slowly but won 2-0 against Belgium on Monday. Randal Kolo Muani scored a close-range goal. Later, Ousmane Dembele added a second with a left-footed shot. This win gave France their first points in the UEFA Nations League.
After losing 3-1 to Italy last Friday, France made eight changes to their starting lineup, including Kylian Mbappé. They faced early attacks from Belgium but eventually found their flow. Finally, France took charge of the game.
“We were a little nervous at the start of the match, then we did a lot of good things collectively, individually too, with new players who didn’t have the experience,”
-France coach Didier Deschamps
Before the game, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco spoke out. He said his team was too nervous and careful. This is because they lost 1-0 to France in the last 16 of the Euros, just 70 days ago.
In the France vs Belgium match, they started strong. They created chances for Lois Openda early in the match before France found their form.
Kolo Muani put the hosts ahead in the 29th minute. Belgium’s goalkeeper, Koen Casteels, made a one-handed save from Dembele’s mishit shot. The ball went right to Kolo Muani, who scored from close range.
Dembele was always a threat and got his goal in the 57th minute. He moved sideways along the edge of the Belgium box and found space. Then he took a great shot past Casteels.
“People tell me I’m too generous and that I try to pass too much. I decided to try my luck……This season I’m going to try my luck even more, to be more selfish.”
-Dembele
Belgium did not pose much danger until Charles De Ketelaere came on in the 69th minute. He quickly took a shot on goal. Soon after, Kevin De Bruyne, the team captain, had two weak attempts. Overall, it was a frustrating night for him.
“The first 25 minutes and the last 25 minutes we played with the right mentality,”
“Everything in between was not enough for me. Then you see that France are just a step ahead. Where we lost our patience, they stayed calm and hurt us a lot with their power.”
-Tedesco
Mbappé came on in the 67th minute, along with Bradley Barcola. Barcola’s move to PSG from Olympique Lyonnais last season was still fresh in people’s minds, and he was booed by the local fans.
Mbappé played well and tried to score. He nearly found the net from a tight angle ten minutes before the end and had a shot saved by Casteels in the 86th minute.
Italy won the other Group A2 match against Israel in Budapest on Monday, gaining a three-point lead. Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 before, now share second place with France, both having three points.
