League of Nations: France suffers but still beats Belgium

A double from Randal Kolo Muani allowed the French team to maintain the upper hand over Belgium (2-1) and to round off October with two welcome victories in a period of turbulence, Monday in Brussels.

Once again. As in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (1-0) and the 2021 Nations League (3-2), as in the Euro (1-0) and as in the first leg (2-0), the Blues once again gave the Belgians a lesson in “winning”, in a match that was nevertheless balanced.

With the success against Israel on Thursday (4-1), these six points allow the Blues to approach the quarter-finals of the current edition, and for Didier Deschamps to breathe a little.

The coach is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to “RKM”, in difficulty at PSG, but author of his first double in Blue, a serene penalty (35th s.p.) and a superb header on a cross from Lucas Digne (62nd).

Captain Kylian Mbappé watched this match from Madrid. He posted a photo of a TV screen showing the match just after a photo of his return to training at Real Madrid, in an Instagram story.

“Kyk's” found himself once again in the media storm on Monday.

– “Fake news” –

He said he was the victim of “fake news” following an article in the Swedish daily Aftonbladet claiming that a rape investigation had been opened by the Swedish police after the star's visit with his entourage to Stockholm last week.

A second Swedish media outlet, Expressen, however, says he is a potential suspect in this investigation.

This new Mbappé affair further weighs down the atmosphere around the selection, something the coach denounced several times during the gathering.

And if he is reassured on the accounting level, with now five lengths ahead of the Red Devils with two matches remaining in the group stage, Deschamps still has a lot of work to do.

For the 200th match as Guy Stéphan's assistant, the defense had a difficult evening.

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Jules Kounde tackling Belgian winger Jérémy Doku during the Blues' victory in Belgium on October 14, 2024 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels © AFP – JOHN THYS

William Saliba played his worst match in Blue. He cost a penalty on a huge slide leading him to mow down Loïs Openda, who had nevertheless missed his hook.

Youri Tielemans first pardoned the “Gunner” by shooting his penalty over (23rd), but Saliba did not return to the match for all that.

– Saliba in difficulty –

It was one of his many missed passes that gave the ball back to the Belgians for the equalizer, where he was also beaten with a header by Openda.

In great difficulty, Saliba also lost a ball all alone leading to a big opportunity for Jérémy Doku (29th).

He was better in the second half, but he was no longer the sovereign defender who had won his starting place at the Euro, at the expense of Ibrahima Konaté, with whom he was associated at the Roi Baudouin stadium.

The other member of the hinge did a little less bad, Monday evening. The Liverpool player made a few saves, but he also lost a ball offering an opportunity to Openda (18th) and was cautioned for a big foul on Timothy Castagne (45th).

Lucas Digne in pursuit of Belgian winger Jérémy Doku during the Blues' victory in Belgium on October 14, 2024 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels © AFP – NICOLAS TUCAT

At the left-back position, Lucas Digne also suffered, facing Jérémy Doku. The Manchester City winger, who had failed to get past Jules Koundé once in the 8th final of the Euro (1-0 for France), was shifted to the right and got the better of the Aston Villa full-back.

Digne, booked early (7th) for a foul on Doku, even found himself with his nose in the pitch after a devilish hook in the area (12th). Fortunately he served RKM on the winning goal.

Deschamps, who had only changed four players compared to Israel, did not have many answers. But he won.

Even captain Aurélien Tchouameni got in trouble, sent off for a second warning when he mowed down Tielemans who was heading for goal (76th).

The only satisfaction with Kolo Muani was Bradley Barcola, punchy and full of ease, provoking the penalty for a gross handball by Wout Faes. The Blues opened the scoring against the run of play, with their usual success against the Belgians.

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