Nations League. Belgium – France: Kolo Muani saves the Blues, the summary of the match

Thanks to a double from Kolo Muani, France managed to win in Belgium (1-2), this Monday in Brussels, and took a big step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations.

Belgium 1 : 2

France En direct

What did Didier Deschamps say to his players at half-time ? It will be interesting to know, as the French team showed two faces in Brussels on Monday evening despite the victory (1-2). First, there was a very complicated first period, where the Blues suffered many waves without sinking. While Tielemans missed a penalty, conceded by Saliba, by shooting over (23rd), Kolo Muani did not tremble at eleven meters on this opportunity obtained by Barcola (0-1, 35th). Openda, well served by Castagne, still allowed the Belgians to equalize in added time (1-1, 45th+3). A deserved equalizer, as the Red Devils made France suffer.

But in the second half, it was another team that returned to the pitch at Roi Baudouin. Dembélé (52nd) then Koné (58th) first made Casteels tremble before Randal Kolo Muani scored twice, well served by Lucas Digne (1-2, 62nd). Much more consistent, the French team still trembled at the end of the match after captain Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off for a second yellow card (76th). But even ten against eleven, the Blues knew how to keep their heads down to keep this result which allows France to be almost qualified for the quarter-finals of this League of Nations.

22:56 – Kolo Muani again decisive against Belgium

France won thanks in particular to a double from Randal Kolo Muani this evening in Belgium (1-2). In difficulty under the orders of Luis Enrique at PSG, the former Nantes player is transformed under the blue jersey and now has six goals this year with France. This makes him the top scorer of the Blues in 2024 for the moment. He notably scored during the three French victories against Belgium this year.

22:50 – France well on its way to qualifying

With this success in Belgium this Monday (1-2), the French team has taken a big step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition. Only Italy, which beat Israel (4-1) this evening, is ahead of France in the ranking. A draw against the Israelis at the next meeting in November will be enough for the Blues to qualify for the rest of this League of Nations.

• 1) Italy – 10 points (+6)
• 2) France – 9 points (+4)
• 3) Belgium – 4 points (-1)
• 4) Israel – 0 points (-9)

It's over in Brussels! France, thanks to a last-gasp save by Maignan, won against Belgium by 2 goals to 1. Randal Kolo Muani scored twice (35th minute and 62nd minute), while Openda equalized at the very end of the first period (45th + 3).

22:40 – France: Kolo Muani gives up his place

Fourth change for the Blues. Author of a double, Randal Kolo Muani gives up his place to Marcus Thuram for these last moments.

22:38 – Five minutes of added time

There will be five minutes of added time in this match between Belgium and France, which still leads the approach of these last minutes.

22:35 – Corner for Belgium

The Belgians obtain a corner at the end of the match but the French defense does not tremble and diverts the danger momentarily. 

22:32 – Five minutes to play

There are five minutes left in regulation time on the King Baudouin pitch between Belgium and France, who are still leading despite their numerical inferiority. Not to mention the added time, which could be significant.

22:29 – Belgium: De Ketelaere and Tielemans replaced

Belgian coach Domenico Tedesco has once again made two changes. Lukebakio and Engels replace De Ketelaere and Tielemans respectively.

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22:27 – France: Fofana replaces Dembélé

Following Tchouaméni's exclusion, Didier Deschamps decides to take off Ousmane Dembélé to bring on Youssouf Fofana. Les Bleus have ten minutes to hold on, not to mention added time…

22:26 – Maignan also gets a yellow card

Mike Maignan completely misses a pass on the left side and commits a stupid foul on De Cuyper, who was nevertheless well caught by Koundé. Yellow card for the French goalkeeper and a dangerous free kick to come for Belgium.

22:25 – Maignan catches it in two stages!

On the free kick that follows, Leandro Trossard whips the ball over the wall but Maignan intervenes in two stages to catch the ball.

France will finish the match ten against eleven! On a Belgian counterattack, Tielemans is served in the middle and will present himself in front of Maignan. Tchouaméni touches the Belgian captain who collapses at the edge of the area. Second yellow card for Tchouaméni who returns to the locker room a quarter of an hour before the others.

22:21 – France: Camavinga and Nkunku enter

Didier Deschamps also makes two changes at once. Bradley Barcola and Mattéo Guendouzi are replaced by Christopher Nkunku and Eduardo Camavinga respectively.

22:17 – Belgium has 20 minutes to come back

With this double change, Domenico Tedesco wants to try to disrupt the Blues during the last 20 minutes of this match. But Didier Deschamps is preparing to respond to him with Camavinga in particular.

22:14 – Belgium: Tedesco makes two changes

Domenico Tedesco makes two changes at once for Belgium. De Cuyper and Vranckx replace Castagne and Mangala respectively.

France takes the lead in this match! After a great three-way game on the left between Digne, Dembélé and Barcola, the French full-back put the ball on Kolo Muani's head in the box. The PSG striker deflected it well and beat Casteels, whose hand was not firm enough on this shot. 2-1 for the Blues!

22:07 – Decision confirmed and goal disallowed

The VAR confirms Randal Kolo Muani's handball and the goal scored by Manu Koné is therefore logically disallowed. But the Blues are much better in this second period than in the first!

22:06 – Goal disallowed for France!

The Blues think they have taken the advantage on a two-stage action by Manu Koné, but the goal is disallowed for a handball by Kolo Muani just before. This is verified by the VAR currently.

22:03 – De Ketelaere also gets a yellow card

It's Charles De Ketelaere's turn to get a yellow card for a rude shirt pull on Ousmane Dembélé, who even ends up with his shirt torn.

22:00 – Faes gets a yellow card

Former Reims defender Wout Faes gets a yellow card for a foul in midfield. He is the second Belgian player to be booked tonight after Mangala.

What a breakthrough by Dembélé! Following the Belgian free kick, the Blues go on the counterattack led by Dembélé who recovers the ball in his 35 meters. The PSG winger finally crosses the entire field to then strike in the Belgian surface but it is just to the side!

21:58 – Koundé makes a stupid hand

Thinking that the ball had gone out along the touchline, Jules Koundé takes the ball with his hand, but the sphere was ultimately not completely out. Handball from the French defender, and a free kick for Belgium. The Belgians do nothing with it.

21:55 – France gets a corner

The Blues get a corner in this second period. Dembélé strikes him but as usual, it lacks power and the Belgian defense averts the danger.

Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto whistles the start of the second half in Brussels between Belgium and France (1-1). The Belgians engage for these last 45 minutes!

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