The French team recovered well by finding its offensive momentum to beat Belgium (2-0), three days after its shipwreck against Italy (3-1), Monday in Lyon in the Nations League.
Without Kylian Mbappé, a substitute like Antoine Griezmann, two attackers who do not score enough have relaunched the Blues, Randal Kolo Muani (29) and Ousmane Dembélé 57).
France joins its opponent with 3 points, behind Italy (6 pts), who beat Israel (2-1), and the pressure is easing on Didier Deschamps, widely booed by the Stade Lyonnais when the team line-ups were announced.
The coach will be able to prepare more calmly for the next two trips in October, to Budapest against Israel and to Brussels for the return match.
The Blues maintain their ascendancy over the Red Devils, who were beaten for the fourth time in a row in competition, with the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (1-0) and the 2021 Nations League (3-2), then the round of 16 this summer in Germany (1-0).
Above all, they are finding their standards a little. Martyred by Italy, the defense held up this time. Deschamps, who wanted to rotate over these two September matches, had put his Euro-2024 rearguard at 4/5ths.
The Dayot Upamecano-William Saliba hinge contained the Belgian attacking quartet, and Jules Koundé once again completely muzzled Jérémy Doku on his right side.
Mike Maignan was vigilant when he needed to be, like this strike from Charles De Keteleare (70).
– Kolo Muani and Dembélé scorers –
Only the returning Lucas Digne, on the left in place of Théo Hernandez, suffered against Dodi Lukébakio for his first match with the national team for 27 months.
In addition to their traditional defensive solidity, the Blues have also reassured themselves offensively, after the fiasco at the Parc des Princes in both sectors.
After a very timid start to the match, the Tricolores gradually came out of their camp to create more chances than against Italy and take the upper hand over the Belgians.
“RKM” finally found the opening, taking a shot from Dembélé which was pushed back with difficulty by Koen Casteels.
Kolo Muani remains a credible candidate for the position of center forward. With a 6th goal in 23 selections, he adds to his statistics.
Marcus Thuram, who inherited the number 9 left vacant by Olivier Giroud’s international retirement, did not convince on the left. As is often the case, he showed generosity in his commitment and technical clumsiness.
“Dembouz”, like Thuram for a long time, first looked like the one from the Euro, with an annoying waste, but he scored with a finally precise shot after a beautiful hook. He also reached the 6 goals, but in 51 caps.
– Kanté satisfaction –
The Parisian was served by N’Golo Kanté, who had already skillfully shifted him on the first goal Kolo Muani.
Several times in the leading position, “NG”, captain in the absence of Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, on the bench, is another satisfaction of the evening.
The only player to start for both matches with Saliba and Maignan, he reassured us about his endurance to continue, and could even have scored a goal (45+2). He did his armband proud.
The Saudi Arabian Championship player held the inexperienced midfield of the Blues, with Matteo Guendouzi and Manu Koné.
The chances of “Guendouz” (14, 23, 26) reflect his very successful match. If he missed the Euro, he showed that we could count on him.
Manu Koné, for his second selection, already knows that he will be suspended against Israel: the fiery AS Roma midfielder received a warning for a foul on Amadou Onana at the very beginning of the match (4). He had already received a yellow card as soon as he came on against Italy.
Like this small disciplinary misstep, everything was not perfect. Mbappé, who came on (67) in place of Kolo Muani, went through a fifth match without scoring for the Blues, despite three chances (73, 78, 87). But the Blues found their stride again.
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