France displayed a strong comeback performance against neighboring Belgium, securing a convincing 2-0 victory in their second Nations League match. After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Italy in their opening fixture, France made eight changes to their starting lineup, including the absence of star player Kylian Mbappe.
Despite a shaky start where Belgium looked threatening with Lois Openda leading the charge, France gradually took control of the game and asserted their dominance. The turning point arrived in the 29th minute when Ousmane Dembele’s shot was saved by Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels, but the rebound fell kindly to Randal Kolo Muani, who slotted home from close range.
Dembele continued to be a thorn in Belgium’s side, showcasing his brilliance with a well-taken goal in the 57th minute. He expertly cut inside the Belgium defense before unleashing a powerful shot past Casteels. Belgium’s response lacked the desired potency, with Charles De Ketelaere’s introduction in the 69th minute sparking some late hope. However, even captain Kevin De Bruyne struggled to make an impact, as France held firm defensively.
Mbappe was introduced in the 67th minute alongside Bradley Barcola, whose recent transfer to PSG from Olympique Lyonnais was met with jeers from the home crowd. Despite the late arrival, Mbappe looked lively and nearly added his name to the scoresheet, narrowly missing from a tight angle and having a shot saved by Casteels.
This victory marked France’s first points in the Nations League campaign, showcasing their ability to recover from an initial setback. Meanwhile, Belgium’s performance left them with work to do in the group stage, particularly in terms of finishing opportunities and breaking down resilient defenses.
