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France bounce back from a 3-1 defeat against Italy to get their UEFA Nations League campaign up and running with a 2-0 home win over Belgium.
France bounced back from a defeat against Italy to claim a 2-0 victory in their UEFA Nations League home clash with Belgium.
Didier Deschamps took the opportunity to make several changes to his side, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Theo Hernandez dropping to the bench.
The players that came into the lineup ultimately made a positive impact as Randal Kolo Muani put France ahead less than minute after Marcus Thuram had forced Koen Casteels into action.
Kolo Muani was in the right place at the right time to thump the ball in after Casteels had parried Ousmane Dembele‘s right-foot shot.
Dembele was unable to get on the scoresheet in the first period, but he had no such problems in the second period, cutting inside on his favoured left foot before drilling a powerful shot beyond Casteels’s reach.
Mbappe came off the bench in the 67th minute and managed to register a couple of shots on target as he looked to add to France’s tally.
While Les Bleus were unable to add a third, they remained resolute at the opposite end of the pitch to frustrate a Belgian side who looked far from their best.
Despite falling short against France, Belgium are level on three points against Les Bleus after the first two matchdays, with both teams sitting three points adrift of group leaders Italy.
FRANCE VS. BELGIUM HIGHLIGHTS
30th min: France 1-0 Belgium (Randal Kolo Muani)
Casteels’s efforts ultimately prove to be in vain. The Belgian goalkeeper is beaten just moments after making a strong save from Thuram. Casteels can only parry Dembele’s strike, allowing Randal Kolo Muani to fire the rebound past Wout Faes on the line.
57th min: France 2-0 Belgium (Ousmane Dembele)
France double their advantage to tighten their grip on the contest. Dembele drives inside before unleashing a fierce strike past the helpless Casteels to register his sixth goal for his country.
MAN OF THE MATCH – OUSMANE DEMBELE
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) September 9, 2024
Dembele was one of several players brought into the lineup, and the Paris Saint-Germain attacker ultimately made the most of his starting opportunity.
The 27-year-old had a hand in the first goal, with his shot forcing Casteels to parry into the path of the grateful Kolo Muani.
Dembele then showcased his dribbling ability to create the space to fire home France’s second goal just before the hour mark.
The former Barcelona man was a constant threat and finished his impressive performance with three completed dribbles and five chances created.
FRANCE VS. BELGIUM MATCH STATS
Possession: France 45%-55% Belgium
Shots: France 25-9 Belgium
Shots on target: France 9-4 Belgium
Corners: France 5-7 Belgium
Fouls: France 8-10 Belgium
BEST STATS
Randal Kolo Muani has now scored in each of his last five starts for France.
⚽ vs. Greece
⚽ vs. Chile
⚽ vs. Luxembourg
⚽ vs. Spain
⚽ vs. Belgium
No Mbappe, no problem. 💪#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/fygrfuy2ep
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 9, 2024
𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒛𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 🙌
1️⃣3️⃣7️⃣𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒔 and a place alongside Giroud among the most capped players in Les Bleus’ history 💙
Only 2 other legends, L. Thuram and Lloris, have worn the blue jersey more often 🌟#FRABEL | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/Kcn9WPEjBk
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) September 9, 2024
Manu Kone’s game by numbers vs. Belgium:
54/58 passes completed (93%)
10x possession won
8 duels won
4 interceptions
4 fouls won
2/2 take-ons completed
2 tackles
1 block
An all action display. 🔋#FRABEL pic.twitter.com/qQx0IRS06U
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 9, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
After claiming the first win of their UEFA Nations League campaign, France will look to claim back-to-back victories when they return to action in next month’s meeting with Israel.
As the Red Devils, they will attempt to produce a response against Italy on October 10 before they face France in the reverse fixture just four days later.
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