France overcame a slow start to beat neighbours Belgium 2-0 on Monday, with Randal Kolo Muani’s close-range strike and Ousmane Dembele’s left-footed shot earning the team their first points of the Nations League season.
The French responded positively by substituting eight of their starting players, including Kylian Mbappé, after losing 3-1 to Italy in their Group A2 opening match in Paris last Friday.
However, they had to survive the early attacks of the visitors before they could find their rhythm and prevail in the competition.
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco admitted before the match that his team had been too fearful and distrustful of France in their 1-0 round of 16 defeat at the European Championships 70 days ago in Düsseldorf.
This time they came out fighting and created chances for Lois Openda in a brilliant opening before France found their form again.
Kolo Muani put the hosts ahead in the 29th minute after Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels parried a deflected shot from Dembélé with one hand and passed it straight to the Paris Saint-Germain striker, who netted from close range.
Dembele always looked dangerous and was rewarded for his efforts in the 57th minute when he ran sideways along the edge of Belgium’s penalty area and found space to fire a superb shot past Casteels.
Belgium posed little threat until Charles De Ketelaere came on as a substitute in the 69th minute and quickly fired a shot on goal, followed shortly thereafter by two lame attempts from captain Kevin De Bruyne, who endured a largely frustrating evening.
Mbappé came on as a substitute in the 67th minute alongside Bradley Barcola, whose move from Olympique Lyonnais to PSG last season was unforgettable and was booed by the locals.
Mbappé looked promising as he attempted to get his name on the scoresheet, narrowly missing the ball from a tight angle with ten minutes left and Casteels parried an effort from the striker in the 86th minute.
Italy won their other Group A2 match against Israel in Budapest on Monday to move three points ahead. Belgium, which beat Israel 3-1 in Hungary last Friday, shares second place with France on three points.
