France took a major step towards qualifying for the last eight of the Nations League as they beat neighbours Belgium 2-1 in Brussels. Les Bleus have an excellent record against the Red Devils in competitive fixtures, and were again victorious here thanks to a brace from PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani.
Belgium had a big chance to go ahead midway through the first half but squandered that opportunity. Lois Openda was brought down in the box through some clumsy defending from Arsenal’s William Saliba, who slipped and clattered into the striker. Belgian skipper Youri Tielemans however blazed his spot kick over the bar.
The hosts were made to pay for that miss minutes later when Wout Fares was penalised for handball but unlike Tielemans, Kolo Muani made no mistake with his penalty, sending Koen Casteels the wrong way.
Saliba was again at fault as Openda headed home Timothy Castagne’s cross on the stroke of half time.
France then thought they had the lead when Manu Kone drilled one home near the hour mark, but VAR disallowed it for handball in the buildup.
Les Bleus were however not to be denied as Kolo Muani’s header minutes later from Digne’s cross put them ahead. French captain Aurelien Tchouameni’s foul on his opposite number reduced the visitors to ten men, but they held on to claim a 2-1 win.
