November 15, 2011: France-Belgium 0-0
The Red Devils, with Georges Leekens as T1, faced their French neighbors for a major challenge although the latter were coming out of a chaotic World Cup in South Africa. Far from the prestige it currently possesses, Belgium held its own during this meeting and could even have, with a little more realism, left with victory during this friendly match. It nevertheless allowed our national team to see that it could compete again with great nations after more complicated years.
August 14, 2013: Belgium-France 0-0
While Belgium revealed itself with a brilliant start to the qualifying phase for the World Cup in Brazil, it was still competing against the French team which was then already coached by Didier Deschamps. With Marc Wilmots at the helm, the Belgians put out a brilliant performance, pushing the French to their limits. Unfortunately, due to lack of realism, the Devils had to settle for a blank draw despite the opportunities. This meeting was nevertheless able to confirm that Belgium had become a major European football nation on which it was necessary to count.
June 7, 2015: France-Belgium 3-4
Still on the rise, Wilmots’ gang offered themselves a new derby at the end of the 2014-2015 season and before Euro 2016 which was taking place in France. And the mission had proven to be more than a success with a prestigious and resounding victory. In front of an impressive contingent of Belgian supporters who had made the trip, Belgium had humiliated France for over an hour with goals from Fellaini (x2), Nainggolan and Hazard. If Valbuena had already reduced the gap to 0-2, Fekir and Payet had also allowed France to reduce the extent of the score in the opposing camp.
July 10, 2018: France-Belgium 1-0
Without a doubt the match that everyone still remembers. As part of the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the two nations met to play for a place in the final. Roberto Martinez also chose to play Dembélé to compensate for Meunier’s suspension. A choice that did not pay off since a certain Umtiti, on a corner, scored the only goal of a balanced match and above all extinguished Belgian hopes of victory. A significant match that notably had the gift of accentuating the rivalry between the two countries.
July 13, 2021: Belgium-France 2-3
For this final phase of the Nations League, the Red Devils found the French team for a semi-final with a scent of revenge compared to 2018. And Belgium has long believed they could take their revenge with goals from Carrasco and Lukaku in the first period. But the match completely changed in the second half at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium and France, thanks to Benzema, Mbappé and Hernandez, ended up winning 2-3. A once again painful defeat that more than 11 million Belgians hope to never experience again this Monday at 8 p.m.
