France 2-0 Belgium: What Were The Main Talking Points As Les Bleus Claim A Crucial Nations League Boost In Lyon?

Claiming what was a crucial boost on Monday night, France opened their Nations League account with a 2-0 victory at home against Belgium.

While Didier Deschamps might have elected to make a host of changes here, Les Blues put in a dominant display and took a deserved lead on the half hour mark as PSG marksmen Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring.

Overcoming what could have been a potential banana skin in Lyon, the former world champions double their lead after the restart as Ousmane Dembele swept home with a smart finish.

Not showing any signs of a hangover following on from their infamous 3-1 loss at home against European rivals France last weekend, France were certainly a more than deserved winner here.

While Belgium might have arrived in Lyon potentially smelling the chance to capitalise on a Les Blues squad that have shown some recent issues, the Red Devils once again flattered to deceive under the bright lights.

On a night when France opened their Nations League account at the second attempt, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Lyon.

Deschamps and France claim a crucial boost

Opening their Nations League campaign with an infamous collapse on home soil as they fell to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Italy on Friday night, France have come under a huge amount of scrutiny over recent times.

Drastically flattering to deceive over in Germany as they eventually fell to a semi-final defeat against eventual winners Spain, Les Bleus were under a tremendous amount of pressure here.

Remarkably notching just a pair of goals from open play during their downbeat European Championship campaign over the summer, many fans around Lyon have been far from pleased with Deschamps’ tactics.

However, although France might have made a string of changes on Monday night following on from that sensational collapse against Italy over the weekend, the European giants claimed what was an essential boost.

Overcoming what could have been a potential banana skin here and signing off September’s international break with just a third competitive victory since back on November 11th, France will be desperate to use this performance as a platform to build on.

Belgium continue to struggle with their consistency

Unbeaten in all of their eight EURO 24 qualifying appearances last year, Belgium travelled over to Germany this summer with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

However, although the Red Devils might have opened their European Championship adventure knowing it was their golden generations final chance to claim a maiden piece of international silverware, Monday’s guests suffered another nightmare on the major tournament stage.

Eventually winning just one of their four European appearances over in Germany as they crashed out at the Round of 16 stage following a 1-0 loss against France, Belgium faced yet another public backlash when they returned home.

While Domenico Tedesco’s side might have opened their Nations League campaign with a routine 3-1 victory at home against Israel over the weekend, Belgium have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability.

Crashing back down to earth here as they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Lyon, the former RB Leipzig boss has not seen his squad record back-to-back competitive wins across any competition over the past 11 months.

France prove that they can get the job done without Mbappe

While France might have faced a speedy turnaround following on from that shock 3-1 loss against Italy last weekend, there was an audible shock around Lyon when Deschamps announced his team prior to kick-off here.

Although Mbappe might have failed to notch a single goal from open play while over in Germany at this summer’s European Championships, Real Madrid’s latest galactico still remains the poster boy in the French capital.

Completing what was a blockbuster move to Los Blancos after leaving PSG on a free transfer this summer, the future Ballon d’Or winner would have been surprised to have missed out on Monday night.

While Mbappe’s exodus from Monday’s starting line-up might be nothing but a rarity, Deschamps cap would have been glad to have proven they can get the job done without their striking sensation.

Match Report

France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne, Kante, Kone, Guendouzi, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Thuram

Subs: Griezmann, Mbappe, Olise, Barcola

Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Debast, Theate, Onana, Tielemans, Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Dolu, Openda

Subs: Mangala, Bakayoko, De Ketelaere, Meunier, Duranville

Goals: Kolo Muani (29’), Dembele (57’)

Yellow Cards: France: Kone, Digne – Belgium: Tielemans, Openda

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Glenn Nyberg