France 2-0 Belgium - Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele fire Les Bleus to Nations League win
France vs Belgium
After suffering a surprise loss to Italy in their Nations League opener, France eased the pressure on coach Didier Deschamps with a win over Belgium in Lyon on Monday evening. With Kylian Mbappe on the bench, Randal Kolo Muani took centre stage by firing Les Bleus in front in the first half. The points were secured when Ousmane Dembele curled home superbly on 54 minutes.
Ousmane Dembele’s stunner helped France to a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory over Belgium in the Nations League on Monday.
Dembele thundered in a blistering second goal for Les Bleus 12 minutes after the interval in Lyon.
Randal Kolo Muani had earlier hammered France into the lead against the run of play, with Belgium having shaded the opening exchanges.
Indeed, matters would have been different had the post not come to France’s rescue early on when Dodi Lukebakio ghosted into the six-yard box unmarked.
Didier Deschamps’ side ultimately made their fortune count, though, and an accomplished second-half display was capped off by Dembele’s excellent solo strike, as France bounced back from their defeat to Italy last time out.
Mike Maignan was well placed to bundle the ball out of play after Lukebakio poked against the woodwork in the sixth minute, though France’s goalkeeper would have been helpless to prevent Lois Openda tucking into a gaping net had Lukebakio shown more composure when put through by Kevin De Bruyne soon after.
Having gained a foothold, however, France opened the scoring in the 30th minute with their first real chance.
Dembele’s scuffed attempt was parried out by Koen Casteels, with Kolo Muani lashing a venomous strike in via a deflection from Wout Faes, who had got back on the line.
A strong start to the second half paved the way for France to double their advantage when Dembele skipped in from the right flank, evaded a series of defenders and lashed a brilliant finish beyond Casteels.
Substitute Kylian Mbappe looked to make up for lost time upon his introduction, going close on three occasions, but France ultimately had to settle for two as they got their Nations League campaign up and running.
