Thanks to Kolo Muani, France also won their third duel against neighbors Belgium in three and a half months. At 2-1, the Equipe Tricolore took the lead over time after Tchouameni was sent off.
Scored both goals for France: Randal Kolo Muani.
IMAGO/Photo News
July 1st, September 9th and now October 14th – the two neighbors met for the third time within three and a half months. The Belgians, who replaced Castagne de Cuyper in the 2-2 draw in Italy, wanted revenge for their two most recent defeats – especially their exit from the European Championship in the round of 16 – and started the game with energy. Doku in particular posed problems for Digne, who, like Koné, Guendouzi and Barcola, moved into the starting line-up after the 4-1 win against Israel.
The home side only created great chances to score after mistakes from Les Bleus. Trossard failed after Konaté lost the ball to Maignan (18th). A little later, Koné’s loss of the ball enabled a counterattack, at the end of which Saliba brought down Openda in the penalty area. Tielemans miserably missed the penalty, which was only given due to a VAR intervention – Openda was checked for offside: the captain shot around two meters over the goal (23rd).
Openda cheers belatedly
It was the turning point: France subsequently improved and promptly took the lead. Faes’ misfire, the central defender threw his arm into Barcola’s path, which Kolo Muani took advantage of from the spot (35′). However, the Equipe Tricolore did not take the 1-0 lead into the break because Openda scored with a header in stoppage time (45th + 3) – the Leipzig player was only allowed to celebrate afterwards because referee Irfan Peljto had previously ruled it offside.
The equalizer did not shock the guests. But although France were the more active team after the restart, Tielemans initially missed on the other side (55′). Two minutes later, Koné appeared ice-cold with a well-considered finish. However, his supposedly first international goal did not count due to a previous handball from Kolo Muani.
Maignan saves late against Openda
The 2-1 was only postponed: a little later, Kolo Muani nodded Digne’s cross into the net (62′). The Red Devils then took the initiative. But they didn’t pose much of a goal threat. Openda missed Trossard’s sharp cross (71′).
Even when Tchouameni saw yellow-red after a foul on Tielemans just before his own penalty area (76′) – he was the first French captain since Zinedine Zidane (2006 World Cup final) to be sent off – there was no final offensive for a long time . Only in the penultimate action did Openda fail again against Maignan (90+5), so the score remained 1:2.
Had to leave the field early: Aurelien Tchouameni.
IMAGO/ANP
As a result, the Belgians lost their third duel against their neighbors within a few months. For the Red Devils there is probably not much at stake in the coming international period. They are five points behind second place (France), four points ahead of fourth place (Israel). Meanwhile, France stays close to Italy and continues to fight for group victory.
The next game in the Nations League for both nations is exactly one month away. France hosts Israel and Belgium hosts Italy (both at 8:45 p.m.).
