France were hoping to recover from their 3-1 defeat to Italy in their UEFA Nations League opener as they play hosts to Belgium in their second match of the league phase. Didier Deschamps made some bold selection decisions ahead of the match with captain Kylian Mbappé demoted to the bench.
Dodi Lukebakio had the first chance of the game as he escaped at the back post unmarked following a free-kick from De Bruyne but Maignan was able to chest the ball behind for a corner. Lukebakio was involved once again as he easily got in behind Digne and tried to pick out Openda but his cross was hit with too much pace.
Openda would have the next big opportunity after a marauding run from the back from Wout Faes who played in the RB Leipzif forward. However, with the angle closing, the Belgian was unable to beat Maignan. Guendouzi had Les Bleus’ first real chance of the game as a great run from deep left him unmarked in the box but his first touch from Koundé’s cross let him down.
Kolo Muani gave Les Bleus the lead on the half hour mark. Kanté did well to feed the ball to Dembélé and the PSG forward’s shot was saved well but Casteels could only palm the ball into the direction of Kolo Muani who lashed the ball home despite Faes’ best efforts. France led by a solitary goal at the break.
Les Bleus began to control the game after the break and this was seen with an increase in possession. However, clear cut opportunities proved hard to comeby with shots from distance the most frequent efforts. Dembélé then exploded into life as he drifted inside and curled an effort beyond Casteels to double the home advantage.
Deschamps called upon Barcola and Mbappé in the 66th minute and Les Bleus’ dominance continued to grow as they linked up well in the final third to create some openings. Belgium had their opportunities but they were often pot shots or outlandish efforts. Mbappé threatened to find the back of the net as he broke into space from the left flank but his effort was straight at Casteels.
Goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Randal Kolo Muani were enough for Deschamps’ side as they secured their first victory of the UEFA Nations League.
France player ratings:
Mike Maignan – 6
Jules Koundé – 6
William Saliba – 6
Dayot Upamecano – 6
Lucas Digne – 5, The Aston Villa defender struggled in the opening stages to keep up with the pace of Dodi Lukebakio and often found himself tracking back to fill the space he had vacated. As the game went on, he grew in stature and began to find more comfortability.
N’Golo Kanté – 7, Captain on the night, the Al-Ittihad midfeidler offered a controlled performance in the middle of the park as he continued to silence his doubters. Kanté was his usual comabtibe self in the middle of the pitch and progressive in forward areas – creating Dembélé’s goal.
Manu Koné – 6
Mattéo Guendouzi – 6
Randal Kolo-Muani – 7
Marcus Thuram – 5
Ousmane Dembélé – 8, Lively throughout the night, Dembélé was involved in everything positive France produced in an attacking sense during the first half. The PSG forward was unafraid to take on his man and drift inside to stay allusive and create chances for his teammates. This continued in the second half as he assumed the role of scorer with a well-taken finish.
