In a thrilling UEFA Nations League encounter at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, France emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Belgium, despite a late scare after being reduced to ten men. Randal Kolo Muani proved to be the difference-maker, scoring twice to lead Didier Deschamps’ side to a crucial victory, bringing them closer to securing a spot in the quarter-finals.
The game began with Belgium on the front foot, looking to capitalize on home advantage. They created the first major chance when Youri Tielemans won a penalty, only to blast it over the bar, letting France off the hook. That miss turned out to be costly, as Kolo Muani converted a penalty for France after Wout Faes was penalized for handball in the Belgian box. His calm finish put Les Bleus ahead, silencing the home crowd.
Belgium, determined to fight back, found their equalizer late in the first half. Lois Openda’s header was initially ruled out for offside but was later awarded after a lengthy VAR check, leveling the score 1-1 at halftime. The momentum seemed to be swinging in Belgium’s favor, but France responded quickly in the second half. Kolo Muani, again in the right place at the right time, headed in a cross from Lucas Digne, restoring France’s lead with a shot that squirmed under Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
The drama heightened in the 75th minute when French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Tielemans, leaving France to finish the match with ten men. Belgium pressed forward, desperately seeking an equalizer. However, despite their numerical advantage, they struggled to break down a disciplined French defense. Mike Maignan, the French goalkeeper, made crucial saves, and Belgium’s attack lacked the cutting edge to capitalize on their chances.
France managed to hold on in the closing stages, securing a vital win. Belgium’s hopes of advancing in the Nations League suffered a significant blow, as the loss left them in a precarious position in the group. The Red Devils will rue their missed opportunities, especially Tielemans’ penalty miss and the failure to take advantage of the extra man in the latter stages of the match.
For France, the win marked another step forward in their pursuit of a Nations League title. Kolo Muani’s brace will boost his confidence as he continues to impress in the absence of star players like Kylian Mbappe. Didier Deschamps’ side showed resilience and composure, proving that they can win even when faced with adversity.
With this result, France moves closer to the top of Group A2, while Belgium will need to regroup and hope for better results in their remaining matches.