FOOTBALL – They had to prove themselves to avoid the crisis, they delivered and reassured. After the slap against Italy on Friday evening (1-3) for their first match in the Nations League, the Blues extinguished Belgium 2-0 this Monday, September 9 at the Groupama Stadium in Décines, near Lyon.
France-Belgium: Without Mbappé or Griezmann, the Blues try to get back on track with N’Golo Kanté as captain
This second group match of the competition was not approached in a serene manner by the French team, which experienced a complicated Euro-2024 by scoring only one goal (not counting the penalties and the own goal). Didier Deschamps was also keen to avoid a third defeat in a row in an international match.
The coach in a precarious situation was also whistled by the supporters before the start of the match, as well as the Marseillaise and the announcement of the team composition. Didier Deschamps decided to leave aside the pillars Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé, who came on at the end of the match on the pitch, and named N’Golo Kante captain.
Mike Maignan very solid
This change did not bring luck to the French, who were in great difficulty against the Red Devils during the first 20 minutes. Only two saving saves from goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the 6th and 18th minutes allowed the Blues to stay on course.
Lacking success for several minutes in front of the Belgian goal, the French finally managed to open the score in the 28th minute. Kante, who recovered the ball from Kolo Muani, served Dembélé who missed his shot, which was stopped by goalkeeper Casteels. The ball bounced into the feet of Kolo Muani, who scored.
The Blues continued to grow in strength during the second half and after Manu Koné grazed a cross into the top corner, Ousmane Dembélé scored the second goal of the evening in the 57th minute with a magnificent left-footed shot.
Kylian Mbappé’s entry shortly before the 70th minute allowed France to believe in 3-0, but all attempts were repelled by Casteels. The score therefore remained at 2-0. Next match scheduled against Israel on October 10.
Also see on Le HuffPost :
France-Argentina blind football final at the Paralympic Games: the Blues win gold
Griezmann reassuring on his relationship with Deschamps before the match against Belgium
