Ten-man France fought hard to secure a 2-1 victory over Belgium in UEFA Nations League Group A2, in a tense match at Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium. The win was crucial for Les Bleus, extending their streak to five consecutive victories against Belgium.Both teams entered the game knowing that a win was necessary to keep pace with group leaders Italy. Belgium started strongly and created the first real chances, with Loïs Openda coming close twice. He narrowly missed a Jérémy Doku cross and then sent a low shot from a Youri Tielemans delivery just wide of the post. Belgium’s efforts paid off when they earned a penalty after Openda, in full stride on a counter-attack, was brought down by William Saliba in the box. After a lengthy VAR review, Tielemans took the spot-kick but blasted it high and wide, missing the opportunity to put the hosts ahead.Captain Di Lorenzo keeps Italy top of the ‘Group of death’France gradually regained their composure and worked their way back into the game, eventually earning a penalty themselves. Bradley Barcola’s run into the Belgian box resulted in a handball by a falling Wout Faes. Randal Kolo Muani coolly converted the penalty, sending it into the bottom right corner to put France ahead. However, Belgium equalized just before halftime, as Timothy Castagne delivered a pinpoint cross for Openda, who headed home to make it 1-1.Kept Openda onside for the equalizer pic.twitter.com/ITgJivVRzt— Winny (@SisterHuncho) October 14, 2024 The second half began with both teams pushing for the lead, and France thought they had scored through Manu Koné, but his goal was disallowed due to a Kolo Muani handball in the buildup. Kolo Muani soon made amends, scoring the decisive goal by redirecting Lucas Digne’s cross past Koen Casteels. France’s task became tougher when Aurélien Tchouaméni received a second yellow card for a tactical foul during a Belgian counter-attack, reducing the visitors to 10 men.Despite the numerical disadvantage, France held on for the win, moving into a strong position in Group A2. They now trail Italy by just one point with two matches remaining. In contrast, Belgium’s chances of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals have all but disappeared, as they find themselves five points behind France. A relegation play-off now seems a likely outcome for Domenico Tedesco’s squad.The way Tielemans is smiling before he is looking for the foul is so funny😂Tchouameni with the red card🟥 pic.twitter.com/HsC2wU2tBe— Addi (@Addiynwa) October 14, 2024 🤯🟥| Aurélien Tchouameni becomes the first captain of the French team to get a red card since… Zinedine Zidane against Italy, in 2006 ! @Statsdufoot pic.twitter.com/i82uMR22nP— EDF Update 🇫🇷 (@EDFUpdate) October 14, 2024 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – League ASaturdayCroatia – Scotland 2-1 (1-1)/Matanovic 36, Kramaric 70 – Christie 32/Poland – Portugal 1-2 (0-2)/Zielinski 78 – Bernardo Silva 26, Ronaldo 37/Serbia – Switzerland 2-0 (1-0)/Elvedi 45+1 og, Mitrovic 61/Spain – Denmark 1-0 (0-0)/Zubimendi 79/MondayGermany – Netherlands 1-0 (0-0)/Lewelling 63/Belgium – France 1-2 (1-1)/Openda 45+3 – Kolo Muani 35 pen, 62/Italy – Israel 4-1 (1-0)/Retegui 41 pen, Di Lorenzo 54, 79, Frattesi 72/B&H – Hungary 0-2 (0-1)/Szoboszlai 38, 50 pen/Tuesday21:45: (5.20) Scotland (3.80) Portugal (1.75)21:45: (1.30) Spain (5.80) Serbia (12.0)***odds are subject to change***
