
Kolo Muani and Dembele fire in France’s win
France won despite coach Didier Deschamps making eight changes to the starting lineup, with captain Kylian Mbappe left out.
Heavily changed or not, France was up against a Belgium team with Kevin De Bruyne in the line-up and still produced an impressive showing.
The French freed themselves on the half-hour. Kolo Muani scored first after goalkeeper Koen Casteels had pushed away a miss-hit shot from Dembele.
Group A2 Standings
- France and Belgium: 3 points each
- Italy: 6 points (leading after a 2-1 win over Israel)
- Israel: 0 points
Upcoming fixtures:
- Italy vs Belgium in Rome
- France vs Israel in Budapest
Quick as a flash, Kolo Muani followed up to slide in and put France ahead. The goal seemed to have flung open something in France, who took the ball and looked comfortable for much of the match.
After a 3-1 win against Israel last week, Belgium had trouble getting started and failed to break down the tough French defense.
After surviving the first 20 minutes of pressure from Belgium, France’s defense never wilted.
France kept both skeptical contenders on the bench but they led into halftime, simply by sheer force of calm.
Ousmane Dembele added another goal after 57 minutes with a stunning individual strike. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, on the right wing, came inside and lashed in a fierce left-footed shot to give Casteels no opportunity.
Not only did it wrap up the win for France, but it is just a glimpse of Dembele’s attacking talents as he continues to be an important player both in his club and country.
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Coach Deschamps was relieved by France’s satisfying Performance
In the 57th minute, Dembele scored a stunning left-footed goal, solidifying France’s lead.

Image Credit: The Hindu
It will be a relief for Didier Deschamps after his side performed so miserably against Italy. From 13 seconds up against Italy to losing 3-1 in Paris, it was pathetic.
Deschamps had demanded a response from his players after that loss as it was met with criticism, and he got the performance sought against Belgium.
“Obviously, I am very satisfied with the way we responded and that we managed to do against a Belgium side of real quality who worried us in the first 20 minutes — maybe because there was some nervousness associated with this context,” Deschamps said.
‘Our performance on Friday was not the worst, but I am not going to say ‘Wow, we’re so handsome,’ everything is perfect now.
Some of the crowd jeered when the teams were read out, but France’s display on the pitch helped restore their faith.
They later secured a 1-0 win over Belgium — repeating the scoreline when they beat them in the last 16 of Euro 2024 — to take another step forward as Fernando Saints’ team begins building for their Nations League campaign.
Group A2 Standings and Next Fixtures
The standings leave France and Belgium tied on three points each in the group table, behind Italy, sitting in first place with six points after beating Israel 2-1 on the same night.
Israel is at the bottom of the group standings with no points after two matches. In the upcoming fixtures in October, some critical games will take place that will shape the final group standings.
Italy will play Belgium in Rome, a game that may determine how the group ends up looking towards the final stage of the competition.
France will face Israel in a neutral setting in Budapest, another chance for Deschamps’ team to build on the recent victory.
players such as Mbappe, Griezmann, and Olise coming from the bench in the second half, there is quality on this French side that Deschamps can try out throughout the rest of the Nations League.
This win over Belgium was crucial not just to building confidence but also to showing the quality and versatility of the French team.
It will also serve as a considerable momentum builder going forward as they try out new strategies and formations.
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References:
sports.ndtv.com
hindustantimes.com
