League of Nations: France maintains ascendancy over Belgium

2024-10-14 21:26:00

The Blues suffered but still beat the Belgians on Monday in Brussels, and are thus approaching the quarter-finals of the League of Nations.

Published on: 14/10/2024 – 23:26

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A double from Randal Kolo Muani allowed the French team to keep the upper hand over Belgium (2-1) and end October with two welcome successes in a period of turbulence, Monday October 14 in Brussels.

Again. As in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (1-0) and the 2021 Nations League (3-2), as at the Euro (1-0) and as in the first leg (2-0), the Blues once again gave a lesson in “winning” to the Belgians, in a match that was nevertheless balanced.

With the success against Israel on Thursday (4-1), these six points allow the Blues to approach the quarter-finals of the current edition, and Didier Deschamps to breathe a little.

The coach is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to “RKM”, in difficulty at PSG, but author of his first double in Blue, a serene penalty (35th sp) and a superb uncrossed header on a cross from Lucas Digne (62nd).

Captain Kylian Mbappé watched this match from Madrid. He posted a photo of a TV screen broadcasting the match just after a photo of his return to training at Real Madrid, in an Instagram story.

“Fake news”

“Kyk’s” found itself in media turmoil again on Monday. He said he was the victim of “fake news” following an article in the Swedish daily Aftonbladet claiming that a rape investigation had been opened by the Swedish police after the star’s visit with his entourage to Stockholm, last week. A second Swedish media outlet, Expressen, however, says he is a potential suspect in this investigation.

This new Mbappé affair further weighs down the atmosphere around the selection, which the coach denounced several times during the gathering.

And if he is reassured on an accounting level, now five steps ahead of the Red Devils with two matches remaining in the groups, Deschamps still has a lot of work to do.

For the 200th match as Guy Stéphan’s assistant, the defense had a difficult evening. William Saliba played his worst match in Blue. He cost a penalty on a huge slip causing him to mow down Loïs Openda, who had nevertheless missed his catch.

Youri Tielemans first pardoned the “Gunner” by shooting his penalty over (23rd), but Saliba did not return to the match.

Saliba in difficulty

It was one of his many failed attempts which gave the ball back to the Belgians for the equalizer, where he was also beaten with a header by Openda.

In great difficulty, Saliba also lost a ball on his own leading to a big opportunity for Jérémy Doku (29th). He was better in the second half, but he was no longer the sovereign defender who had won his starting place at the Euro, at the expense of Ibrahima Konaté, with whom he was associated at the King Baudouin stadium.

The other member of the hinge did a little less worse on Monday evening. The Liverpool player made a few saves, but he also lost a ball offering an opportunity to Openda (18th) and was warned for a serious foul on Timothy Castagne (45th).

At the left-back position, Lucas Digne also suffered, against Jérémy Doku. The Manchester City winger, who had failed to pass Jules Koundé once during the round of 16 at the Euro (1-0 for France), was shifted to the right and played on the right side. ‘Aston Villa.

Digne, early warned (7th) for a foul on Doku, even found himself with his nose in the lawn after a diabolical hook in the area (12th). Fortunately he serves RKM on the winning goal.

Deschamps, who had only changed four players compared to Israel, did not have many answers. But he won. Even captain Aurélien Tchouameni came through, excluded for a second warning when he mowed down Tielemans who was heading towards goal (76th).

The only satisfaction with Kolo Muani was Bradley Barcola, hard-hitting and full of ease, causing the penalty for a gross handball by Wout Faes. The Blues opened the scoring against the run of play, with their usual success against the Belgians.

With AFP

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