On a cool September evening at Groupama Stadium in Décines, the France National Football Team took on the Belgium National Football Team in a UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 clash. Both teams came into the game looking to solidify their positions in League A, Group A2, with France aiming to assert dominance and Belgium looking to bounce back from a mixed run of form.
The match was highly anticipated as a showdown between two of Europe’s footballing powerhouses. France, led by the experienced Didier Deschamps, had a formidable lineup, including the likes of Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé, and N’Golo Kanté. Belgium, under the guidance of Domenico Tedesco, boasted a strong squad led by their captain Kevin De Bruyne, alongside emerging talents such as Loïs Openda and Dodi Lukébakio.
This UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 encounter was crucial for both teams, as France sought to maintain their top spot in Group A2, while Belgium aimed to recover from recent setbacks.
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Head-to-Head
Historically, these two nations have shared a fierce rivalry. In their previous encounters:
- France has won 28 times.
- Belgium has secured 30 victories.
- The teams have drawn 19 times.
With 134 goals scored by France and 162 goals by Belgium in past meetings, this match promised to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry.
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Lineups and Substitutes
France (Coach: Didier Deschamps)
- GK: Mike Maignan
- DF: Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, William Saliba
- MF: N’Golo Kanté (C), Warren Koné, Matteo Guendouzi
- FW: Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembélé, Randal Kolo Muani
Substitutes:
- Antoine Griezmann (79′ for Guendouzi)
- Kylian Mbappé (67′ for Kolo Muani)
- Bradley Barcola (67′ for Marcus Thuram)
- Youssouf Fofana (90’+3 for Kanté)
- Michael Olise (79′ for Dembélé)
Belgium (Coach: Domenico Tedesco)
- GK: Koen Casteels
- DF: Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate, Timothy Castagne
- MF: Kevin De Bruyne (C), Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans
- FW: Loïs Openda, Jeremy Doku, Dodi Lukébakio
Substitutes:
- Orel Mangala (60′ for Tielemans)
- Johan Bakayoko (60′ for Lukébakio)
- Charles De Ketelaere (69′ for Openda)
- Julien Duranville (82′ for Doku)
- Thomas Meunier (82′ for Castagne)
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team First Half: France Takes Control
The match began with both teams feeling each other out, but it was France that broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Randal Kolo Muani found himself in the right place at the right time, slotting the ball into the net after a well-placed pass from Matteo Guendouzi. Belgium tried to respond, with Loïs Openda creating several dangerous opportunities, but France’s defense held firm.
Belgium’s midfielder Youri Tielemans was booked in the 37th minute for a late challenge, and despite a few more probing attacks, Belgium went into halftime trailing 1-0.
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Second Half: France Doubles the Lead
The second half saw Belgium push forward in search of an equalizer, but their efforts were quickly undone. In the 57th minute, Ousmane Dembélé doubled France’s lead with a spectacular finish, taking advantage of a defensive lapse in Belgium’s backline.
Desperate to change the tide, Belgium made a flurry of substitutions, including bringing on Johan Bakayoko and Orel Mangala, but the French defense, anchored by Dayot Upamecano and Jules Koundé, proved impenetrable.
Late in the game, Kylian Mbappé was introduced, giving France additional firepower, but the scoreline remained unchanged. Belgium continued to struggle, and despite a few late chances, they could not break down France’s disciplined defense.
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Stats
| France vs Belgium | France | Belgium |
| Possession (%) | 45 | 55 |
| Total Attempts | 25 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 4 |
| Shots off Target | 10 | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 88 | 89 |
| Passes Completed | 395 | 453 |
| Corners | 5 | 7 |
| Offsides | 3 | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls Committed | 8 | 10 |
| Saves | 4 | 7 |
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Timeline of Key Events
- 7′ – Yellow card for Lucas Digne (France)
- 29′ – Goal by Randal Kolo Muani (France) | France 1-0 Belgium
- 37′ – Yellow card for Youri Tielemans (Belgium)
- 57′ – Goal by Ousmane Dembélé (France) | France 2-0 Belgium
- 60′ – Substitutions: Mangala for Tielemans, Bakayoko for Lukébakio (Belgium)
- 67′ – Substitutions: Mbappé for Kolo Muani, Barcola for Thuram (France)
- 79′ – Substitutions: Olise for Dembélé, Griezmann for Guendouzi (France)
- 82′ – Substitutions: Duranville for Doku, Meunier for Castagne (Belgium)
- 90’+3′ – Substitution: Fofana for Kanté (France)
France National Football Team vs Belgium National Football Team Full Time: France 2-0 Belgium
The final whistle blew, confirming France’s 2-0 victory over Belgium. The win saw France National Football Team solidify their lead in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, while Belgium National Football Team faced an uphill battle to recover their form.
Impact on the Points Table
With this win, France remained in control of Group A2, increasing their chances of reaching the Nations League finals. Belgium, on the other hand, saw their position in the group slip, and they will need to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures to stay in contention.
Man of the Match
Ousmane Dembélé was named the Man of the Match for his dynamic performance and his crucial goal that helped secure the victory for France.
The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 clash between France and Belgium was a tactical battle, but France’s clinical finishing and strong defense made the difference. Belgium will need to regroup and improve their attacking play as they look ahead to the next round of fixtures. France, meanwhile, marches on confidently as one of the favorites to win the tournament.
