Randal Kolo Muani, you beauty! France star bags brace in thrilling win over Belgium as William Saliba struggles and Aurelien Tchouameni sees red
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Written by hasan kahut

October 14, 2024

  • France beat Belgium 2-1
  • Kolo Muani bags brace in fine display
  • Tchouameni sent off & Tielemans misses penalty

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France held on for all three points after going down to 10 men late on in their highly-entertaining victory over Belgium, significantly boosting Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.

Belgium’s pace going forward caused France problems in the early exchanges and midway through the first half they earned a penalty when William Saliba clattered into Lois Openda. The Arsenal man was the most relieved person inside the King Baudouin Stadium as Youri Tielemans blazed the resulting spot-kick over the bar, and Randal Kolo Muani showed the Aston Villa midfielder how it’s done when he scored a penalty for France moments later.

The hosts got back into the contest on the stroke of half-time when Openda evaded Saliba to steer home a cross from Timothy Castagne, but France restored their lead in the 62nd minute when Kolo Muani diverted a header beyond Koen Casteels for his second of the night. Aurelien Tchouameni made France sweat when he was sent off after picking up a second yellow card with 15 minutes to go, but Didier Deschamps’ side held on for all three points to put themselves in a great position to reach the last eight.

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    THE MVP

    It’s safe to say Kolo Muani has enjoyed this international break. He provided an assist in their 4-1 win against Israel last week and followed that up with a brace in Brussels. The Paris Saint-Germain striker never looked like missing his penalty and then won the game in the second half. No Mbappe, no problem for France.

  • THE BIG LOSER

    Tielemans will be hurting over his missed penalty, which would have given Belgium a 1-0 lead at a time in the game where France were very unsettled. But this was an unconvincing display from Saliba at the heart of France’s defence. His foul for Belgium’s penalty was very clumsy and he lost track of Openda for the Red Devils’ equaliser. Thankfully for the 23-year-old, Kolo Muani was on form at the other end of the pitch or else the scrutiny would have been even more intense.

  • WHAT COMES NEXT?

    France are now on nine points in Group A2 and have one foot in the quarter-finals. They take on Israel in their next meeting on October 14 while Belgium, on four points and needing a miracle, host group leaders Italy.

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    MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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