Victorious over Israel during the third day of the Nations League (4-1), the French team traveled to Belgium being second in its group and had the opportunity to take off to qualify for the final phase of League of Nations. Obviously without Mbappé and in a revised 4-3-3, Didier Deschamps aligned Maignan in the cages, Konate and Saliba in the central hinge, Koné, Tchouaméni and Guendouzi in the middle, and Dembélé, Kolo Muani as well as Barcola for a Parisian attacking trio.
But quickly in the match, De Ketelaere, Trossard, Doku and Openda did a lot of harm to the French defense. Well found by Tielemans, Openda caused a first scare in Maignan, but did not fit (13th). Shortly after, Trossard saw the AC Milan goalkeeper stop his attempt (19th). And after an alignment error by the French defense, Openda was brought down by Saliba and caused the penalty… fortunately for the Blues, missed by Tielemans (22nd). The Belgian chances rained in (27th, 30th), but against the run of play, Barcola obtained a penalty and the Blues opened the scoring thanks to the conversion of Kolo Muani (1-0, 35th).
Randal Kolo Muani assured
And while the Blues were finally interesting in the game, it did not last long since, before half-time, Openda, covered by Saliba, equalized with a nice header for the Red Devils (1-1, 45th +4). Everything had to be done again at the break for the French. Dembélé also missed a big opportunity (52nd) and the Blues were no longer able to create danger, Manu Koné thought he was opening his counter for the Blues, but a hand from Kolo Muani deprived him of the goal (59th).
But a few moments later, receiving a good cross from Digne, Kolo Muani placed a header to score the double with the help of a hand error from Casteels (2-1, 62nd). The hardest part was done, but the Blues made their task more complicated after the exclusion of Tchouaméni, who received a new yellow card (76th). And after a final scare saved by Maignan (90th+4), France finished with a new victory and placed in second place in the group, with one point less than Italy.
