Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France held on to secure a vital 2-1 win over Belgium in an enthralling encounter in the Nations League in Brussels.
Didier Deschamps’ side had their backs against the wall in the closing stages following Aurelien Tchouameni’s red card in the 76th minute but they managed to cling onto their lead and reach the brink of qualification from the group stage.
Kolo Muani had opened the scoring for the visitors with a penalty following a Wout Faes handball just 12 minutes after Youri Tielemans had blazed over from the spot squandering a golden chance to give Belgium the lead.
As France looked set to head into half-time with the lead, Timothy Catsagne found Lois Openda at the back post to head home the equaliser for Domenico Tedesco’s men in the third minute of stoppage time.
Upon the hour mark, France had a Manu Kone goal ruled out for handball in the build-up but just two minutes later saw their lead restored through a Kolo Muani header that Koen Casteels could have perhaps done better with in goal for Belgium
France’s forward #12 Randal Kolo Muani (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Nations League League A, Group A2 football match between Belgium and France.
Image credit: Getty Images
The pressure on France mounted late on as Tchouameni picked up a second yellow for a foul on Tielemans but Deschamps’ men remained resolute to earn their fifth successive win against Belgium.
The result sees France remain in second after Italy’s win 4-1 win against Israel, but crucially it takes them five points clear of Belgium in Group A2 with just two fixtures left to play, including a tie with Israel who are yet to pick up a point.
It was an eventful encounter from the get-go in Brussels with five yellow cards dished out in the opening period alone – France picking up four of those as Jeremy Doku looked in menacing form.
It looked to be Tedesco’s side that were going to open the scoring as William Saliba slipped before slicing down Openda after the striker had chopped back onto his right foot when seemingly in on goal.
After a VAR check overturned the incorrect offside call that came at the end of the move, Tielemans stepped up but saw his effort fly over as he searched for the top left corner.
It was just 12 minutes later when Kolo Muani had the chance from the spot down the other after Faes’ hand ball as he scrambled from the floor to make a challenge on the oncoming Bradley Barcola.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward went for a lower-risk approach than the Belgium skipper as he swept his penalty into the bottom left corner.
Openda’s header on the brink of half-time brought Belgium level but it was just 17 minutes into the second period when Kolo Muani scored his and France’s second with a header of his own following a brilliant Lucas Digne cross.
In this end to end contest it was never going to be straight forward for France and Tchouameni’s dismissal made sure of that but Saliba and Konate rose to the challenge and protected their one-goal lead excellently in the closing stages.
The result all but confirms Belgium’s spot as third-placed team in the group meaning they will likely face a side from League B in a relegation/promotion play-off.
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