10-man France claim thrilling victory over Belgium in Nations League clash

France, who were reduced to ten men in the final 20 minutes or so, pulled off a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the Nations League.

10-man France claim thrilling victory over Belgium in Nations League clash

Randal Kolo Muani scored a brace to hand France all three points (Via X/@FrenchTeam)

Les Bleus can rest assured that their team did well in the international break. The two victories over Israel and Belgium respectively are even more sweeter given the fact that they did it without star man Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. The latter recently announced his international retirement while Mbappe is out with a minute muscle injury.

The game between France and Belgium did not disappoint as both sides went all in from the very start. Belgium were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute after William Saliba slipped and took out Lois Openda. After Youri Tielemans skied the penalty, Randal Kolo Muani converted from the spot in the 35th minute. Openda then responded with a header from point blank to make it all even at half-time.

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The second half saw either side give it their all, with strikers forcing saves out of both Mike Maignan and Koen Casteels. Kolo Muani then headed home past Casteels for the winner as he redirected a cross from Lucas Digne in the 62nd minute.

Despite the win, France remain second in Group 2 behind Italy who are yet to lose a game in the competition.

Kylian Mbappe hits out at ‘fake news’ amidst false reports of rape

French superstar Kylian Mbappe missed both of the games in the International break as he recovered from a muscle injury. While Didier Deschamps did give the green light for the player to miss both games, fans were not pleased to see him star for Real Madrid off the bench in recent games.

Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has called out reports of a Swedish newspaper as fake (Via X/@realmadrid)

Amidst the criticism and anger aimed at the player, a Swedish newspaper reported that an investigation had been opened against the player under allegations of rape. However, Mbappe swiftly denied the same, claiming that the news was fake. The player didn’t hold back against those who he felt had released the report as well.

FAKE NEWS. It’s becoming so predictable, just before the hearing as if by chance.

Kylian Mbappe posted on X

The hearing referred to in his tweet is related to a court case in which the player is suing former club Paris Saint-Germain for unpaid wages during the final months of his stay with the French giants. He is currently at Real Madrid and will most likely feature for the Los Blancos in their next games against Celta Vigo, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.