In a thrilling encounter at the King Baudouin Stadium, France emerged victorious against a spirited Belgium side, claiming a 2-1 win in their UEFA Nations League A Group 2 clash. The victory was fueled by the brilliance of Randal Kolo Muani, who bagged a brace, including a penalty and a well-placed header in the second half. The win puts France one step closer to the quarterfinals, although they had to endure the latter stages of the match with ten men following a second yellow card for captain Aurélien Tchouameni.
Kolo Muani, who has been a fringe player for Paris Saint-Germain this season, continues to shine for France, now with four goals in as many appearances. His impact was immediately evident, particularly in his ability to find space and finish clinically. After the match, France coach Didier Deschamps was effusive in his praise for the striker, describing him as “interesting, radiant” and highlighting his confident and impactful style of play.
The match started with Belgium dominating possession and creating early chances. They were denied a penalty by a missed effort from Youri Tielemans, a moment that arguably shifted the momentum in favor of France. “We were shaken for the first 20 to 25 minutes where they (Belgium) put in a lot of intensity, while we made a lot of technical errors,” Deschamps admitted, before adding, “When we were able to find solutions going forward, it was better for us.” The French coach stressed the importance of calming the team down after a shaky start, focusing on pressing effectively and capitalizing on their opportunities.
France’s victory was even more impressive considering the absence of star striker Kylian Mbappé, who opted out of the latest Nations League matches. The young French squad, featuring several less experienced players, showcased their determination and resilience to secure the crucial victory. “It’s a young team that doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Deschamps remarked, emphasizing the significance of the win for their development. “There was seriousness and enthusiasm (for this match). It’s better to win these kind of games.”
With this win, France climbs to second place in the group, trailing Italy by a single point. Both teams are now firmly in contention for the two qualifying spots for the quarterfinals, scheduled for March next year. Belgium, on the other hand, face a more uphill battle to reach the knockout stages.