Nations League: France Defeats Belgium 2-0 with Goals from Kolo Muani and Dembele

In a Nations League showdown on Monday, France claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Belgium, thanks to goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele. The victory marks France’s first points in the competition after their disappointing 3-1 loss to Italy in the opening match.

Belgium Starts Strong

Belgium began the match on the front foot, eager to rectify their timid performance against France in the Euros just two months earlier. Coach Domenico Tedesco had encouraged his team to approach the game with more aggression, and Lois Openda had a few early chances. However, despite their promising start, Belgium couldn’t convert their attacking opportunities into goals.

France Takes the Lead

After a slow start, France found their rhythm and began to assert themselves on the game. In the 29th minute, a crucial moment came when Koen Casteels, Belgium’s goalkeeper, failed to fully clear a scuffed shot from Dembele. The ball fell kindly to Randal Kolo Muani, who capitalized on the error to fire home from close range, giving France a 1-0 lead.

The goal boosted France’s confidence, and they began to control possession, limiting Belgium’s ability to create further chances. Dembele, in particular, was a constant threat on the wing, causing problems for Belgium’s defense throughout the match.

Dembele Seals the Win

France’s second goal came in the 57th minute, and it was a moment of magic from Ousmane Dembele. Dribbling along the edge of the box, he found space to unleash a powerful left-footed shot that sailed past Casteels, putting France firmly in control at 2-0. Dembele’s strike was a well-deserved reward for his dynamic performance.

Belgium Struggles to Respond

Belgium’s attacking efforts were largely neutralized by France’s defense. It wasn’t until the 69th minute, when Charles De Ketelaere was introduced, that Belgium started to pose a real threat. De Ketelaere quickly got a shot on target, and Kevin De Bruyne followed with a couple of attempts, but neither player could change the course of the game. De Bruyne, usually so influential, had a frustrating evening as France’s defense remained solid.

Late in the match, Kylian Mbappe was brought on as a substitute, and he nearly added to France’s tally with a couple of close efforts. His best chance came in the 80th minute, but his shot from a tight angle went wide. Another opportunity in the 86th minute saw Casteels deny him with a save.

A Much-Needed Win for France

With this win, France has regained momentum in their Nations League campaign, putting the disappointment of their loss to Italy behind them. For Belgium, it’s another tough result, as they’ll need to regroup and find a way to get back on track in the competition.