LdN: France beats Belgium and gets back on track

Beaten 3-1 at the Parc des Princes last Friday by Italy, the French team got off to a very bad start in the Nations League. Last in the Group A2 standings, they should get back on track when they host Belgium at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon. Two months after knocking out the Red Devils in the round of 16 of the Euro (1-0), the Blues remain a difficult opponent to maneuver for Kevin De Bruyne’s partners. But tonight, due to the more than busy schedule of this 2024/2025 season, Didier Deschamps decided to line up a very experimental starting eleven with the starters, among others, of Lucas Digne, Mattéo Guendouzi and Manu Koné. Not to mention a completely new attacking trio Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. A much-maligned captain, Kylian Mbappé therefore started on the bench. Unlike the Euro, the Belgians decided this time to play higher up and press the Tricolores. A choice that immediately put Manu Koné under pressure, cautioned in the 4th minute after two very late tackles. Another proof of the tactical change made by Domenico Tedesco: the positioning of Kevin De Bruyne. Installed in front of his defense in Germany, the Cityzen found his real position this evening, a notch higher. And it was immediately felt. At the origin of the first two hot Belgian actions (6th, 9th), KDB demonstrated that he was the jack-of-all-trades of his team since he even allowed himself an XXL defensive comeback on Randal Kolo Muani (12th). The Frenchman had claimed a penalty, but the slow motion confirmed the good intervention of the Belgian. Inoffensive, the French team was only suffering. Unable to make more than two passes, the Blues were promised another complicated outing.

Manu Koné scored points

Mike Maignan was once again forced to pull out all the stops (18th) and the most enterprising Tricolore was Guendouzi (14th). A detail that spoke volumes about the offensive animation of the Blues. In the end, it wasn’t great, but Didier Deschamps’ men were able to take advantage of the opponent’s sterile domination to reverse the trend. More diligent in keeping the ball, the French took advantage of Guendouzi’s activity and Dembélé’s few flashes of brilliance to create the first breaches. And it hit the mark, a little against the run of play. After a first attempt sent to the moon (22nd), Kolo Muani victoriously took a deflected shot from Dembélé (1-0, 30th). Two months after causing Vertonghen’s fatal own goal at the Euro, RKM confirmed his status as the Belgians’ bête noire. Frustration had changed sides and the French returned to the locker room with the lead on the scoreboard. After the break, the French domination was confirmed, as illustrated by a Manu Koné who was very visible in the midfield. Valuable in recovery and impressive in his solidity in each duel, the new AS Roma player was able to free himself as the minutes went by. In two minutes, he even created two goal-scoring opportunities (52nd, 54th). Dominating, the Blues then made the break in a deserved manner. And in what style! After fixing two defenders with a hook, Dembélé went to crucify Casteels by sending a left-footed shot into his top corner (2-0, 57th). The action that the PSG player so often concluded with a strike into the stands was this time on target. The die was cast. Didier Deschamps could then make changes and that is how we were able to see Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola, Antoine Griezmann and Michael Olise on the pitch at the Groupama Stadium. The opportunity for Mbappé to shine with two strikes (73rd, 78th), but without any real danger. Despite the questions related to the very experimental starting line-up proposed by DD, France was able to react to win. A victory that allows the Blues to get back on track after the hiccup against Italy and to take second place in Group A2 from Belgium.

Relive the match film