In a decisive UEFA Nations League match on Monday, France secured a 2-0 victory over Belgium in Lyon, even while resting star forward Kylian Mbappe at the start. The win marked a significant turnaround for the French team as they aimed to recover from recent setbacks.
Former Paris Saint-Germain teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele stepped up, delivering powerful goals on either side of halftime. Their impressive performances highlighted the depth of talent within the French squad and provided the necessary edge to outplay the Belgian side.
This victory was crucial for France to regain momentum in the top-tier Nations League group after a 3-1 loss to Italy in Paris on Friday. Meanwhile, Italy maintained their lead in the four-team group by defeating Israel 2-1 on Monday, with goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean.
Despite aiming to avoid a third consecutive loss—just two months after their exit from the European Championship semifinals against eventual champions Spain—coach Didier Deschamps made the strategic decision to rest Mbappe from the starting lineup. This move demonstrated confidence in the squad’s overall capability.
Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid and had limited preseason preparation following Euro 2024, was eased into the match. He entered the field in the 67th minute, replacing Kolo Muani. His entry added fresh energy to the team as they maintained their lead against Belgium.
The match showcased France’s resilience and strategic acumen in international football. As the UEFA Nations League progresses, the team’s ability to harness the full potential of its roster will be instrumental in pursuing further success.
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France rest Mbappe to start, beat Belgium 2-0 in UEFA Nations League
cgtn.com
