Belgium vs France UEFA Nations League: A thrilling encounter in Brussels, with Kolo Muani’s double sealing France’s 2-1 victory.
Introduction
The match between Belgium and France in the UEFA Nations League was an electrifying affair, marked by attacking brilliance, as well as constant tactical combat and end-to-end action. Belgium hosted the European giants at the Brussels Stadium, with the two countries’ national teams facing each other on the field. The game was full of drama as France won it 2-1 due to a Kolo Muani double. Belgium’s tenacity in the first half, coupled with France’s clinical finishing, made for a match that will be remembered for its intensity.
Belgium’s Unique Kit Tribute to Tintin
Belgium’s kit, a nod to the beloved comic book character Tintin, brought a wave of nostalgia. The blue shirt, matching Tintin’s iconic outfit, and brown shorts, reminiscent of the reporter’s trousers, was a tribute worn in EURO 2024 as well. The Red Devils’ unique kit added an extra layer of intrigue to the match, reflecting Belgium’s creative spirit on and off the pitch.
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Tactical Setup: Doku’s Wing Play and Castagne’s Flexibility
Jeremy Doku, starting in his preferred wing position after a brief stint as a right-back against Italy, showcased his signature dribbling and pace. His versatility to switch flanks made Belgium’s attack dynamic and unpredictable. Meanwhile, Timothy Castagne, usually a right-back, took up the left-back position, allowing Wout Faes and Arthur Theate to form a central defensive duo with Zeno Debast at right-back.
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Belgium Menace Attacks
Belgium kicked off very brightly and launched two successive threatening attacks. By playing as the lone striker, Loïs Openda just managed not to take advantage of Doku’s low cross, then himself shot wide from a promising position shortly afterwards. The moves came off beautifully courtesy of Charles De Ketelaere, whose creative play and vision helped link up the midfield and attack.

Faes Acts Like a Hero on the Defensive
One standout moment came when Belgium defender Wout Faes, sprinting back to regain possession after being up for a corner, put pressure on Rayan Cherki. Faes’ athleticism and determination helped Belgium recover possession and prevent a dangerous counter-attack, something coach Domenico Tedesco would surely appreciate.

France’s Early Lead: Kolo Muani’s Penalty
This marked the watershed for the match as France was awarded a penalty. Randal Kolo Muani calmly placed the spot kick to the right of Koen Casteels, who dove in the wrong direction. France gained an advantage from this goal by leaving Belgium in a tough position until the end. The striker celebrated his opening with glee, and this gave the team a foothold in the match.

Openda equalized with a fine strike to bring back Belgium on level terms.
Belgium dug deep to come back from half-time. A magnificently whipped cross by Castagne found Openda at the far post, and the Leipzig striker headed past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The equalizing goal really lifted the spirits of the home crowd with that half witnessing both teams register a combined 17 attempts on goal.

Doku, Openda, and De Ketelaere Shine
Belgium’s front three were in excellent form, with Doku causing trouble on the wings, Openda exploiting spaces in the French defense, and De Ketelaere orchestrating the attack from just behind them. Belgium’s attacking trident was arguably the better side in the first half, even as France held firm defensively.
France’s Decisive Second Goal
In the second half, France tightened up their defense and limited Belgium’s attacking chances. Kolo Muani, already on the scoresheet, added a second with a glancing header from Lucas Digne’s cross, once again finding the net via Casteels’ gloves. This goal restored France’s lead and ultimately secured their victory.
A Close and Thrilling Match
Belgium continued to press forward, but France’s defense proved difficult to break down. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors, with Kolo Muani’s double extending France’s winning run against Belgium to seven competitive matches. Despite the loss, Belgium’s performance, particularly in the first half, showed promise, and they will look to build on this display in future matches.
Conclusion
Belgium’s clash with France was a highly entertaining game, filled with exciting moments, tactical battles, and individual brilliance. While Belgium displayed resilience and skill, especially in the first half, France’s clinical finishing through Kolo Muani proved decisive. Belgium’s Tintin-inspired kit added a unique flavor to the night, but it was the visitors who left Brussels victorious. However, both teams came out of this very exciting match with some positives as they look forward to their respective next challenges within the UEFA Nations League.