League of Nations: France reassures itself against Belgium

The French team recovered well by finding offensive momentum to beat Belgium (2-0), three days after his shipwreck against Italy (3-1), Monday in Lyon in the League of Nations.

Without Kylian Mbappé, a substitute like Antoine Griezmann, two attackers who do not score enough have relaunched the Blues, Randal Kolo Muani (29) and Ousmane Dembélé 57).

France joins its opponent with 3 points, behind Italy (6 pts), who beat Israel (2-1), and the pressure eases on Didier Deschamps , widely booed by the Stade Lyonnais when the team line-ups were announced.

The coach will be able to prepare more calmly for the next two trips in October, to Budapest against Israel and to Brussels for the return match.

Les Bleus maintain their ascendancy over the Red Devils, who were beaten for the fourth time in a row in competition, with the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (1-0) and the 2021 Nations League (3-2), then the round of 16 this summer in Germany (1-0).

Above all, they are finding their standards again. Martyred by Italy, the defense held up this time. Deschamps, who wanted to rotate his two September matches, had put his Euro 2024 rearguard at 4/5.

The Dayot Upamecano-William Saliba hinge contained the Belgian attacking quartet, and Jules Koundé once again completely muzzled Jérémy Doku on his right side.

Mike Maignan kept watch when he needed to, like this strike from Charles De Keteleare (70).

– Kolo Muani and Dembélé score –

Only the returning Lucas Digne, on the left in place of Théo Hernandez, suffered against Dodi Lukébakio for his first match with the national team in 27 months.

Randal Kolo Muani scores for the French team against Belgium in the Nations League in Décines, September 9, 2024 © AFP – Olivier CHASSIGNOLE

In addition to their traditional defensive solidity, the Blues also reassured themselves offensively, after the fiasco at the Parc des Princes in both sectors.

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After a very timid start to the match, the Tricolores gradually came out of their camp to create more chances than against Italy and take the upper hand over the Belgians.

“RKM” finally found the opening, taking a shot from Dembélé that was pushed back with difficulty by Koen Casteels.

Kolo Muani remains a credible candidate for the position of center forward. With a 6th goal in 23 selections, he adds to his statistics.

Marcus Thuram, who inherited the number 9 left vacant by Olivier Giroud's international retirement, did not convince on the left. As is often the case, he showed generosity in his commitment and technical clumsiness.

“Dembouz”, at first, like Thuram for a long time, resembled the one from the Euro, with an annoying waste, but he scored with a finally precise shot after a beautiful hook. He also reached the 6 goals, but in 51 caps.

– The satisfaction of Kanté –

The Parisian was served by N'Golo Kanté, who had already skillfully shifted him on the first goal Kolo Muani.

Several times in the position of leader, “NG”, captain in the absence of Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, on the bench, is another satisfaction of the evening.

N'Golo Kanté very prominent with the Blues against Belgium in Décines, September 9, 2024 © AFP – Franck FIFE

The only player starting for the two matches with Saliba and Maignan, he reassured about his endurance to continue, and could even have scored a goal (45+2). He did his armband proud.

The Saudi Arabian Championship player held off the inexperienced midfield of the Blues, with Matteo Guendouzi and Manu Koné.

The chances of “Guendouz” (14, 23, 26) reflect his very successful match. If he missed the Euro, he showed that we can count on him.

Manu Koné, for his second selection, already knows that he will be suspended against Israel: the fiery midfielder of AS Roma received a warning for a foul on Amadou Onana at the very start of the match (4). He had already received a yellow card as soon as he came on against Italy.

Like this small disciplinary misstep, not everything was perfect. Mbappé, who came on (67) in place of Kolo Muani, went through a fifth match without scoring for the Blues, despite three chances (73, 78, 87). But the Blues found their stride again.

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