Randal Kolo Muani Shines as France Defeats Belgium

Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France secured a 2-1 victory over Belgium in a thrilling UEFA Nations League match in Brussels. The game was filled with drama, starting when Belgium’s Youri Tielemans missed a penalty after William Saliba fouled Lois Openda, a decision VAR confirmed. France soon earned a penalty of their own when Wout Faes handled the ball on the ground.

Kolo Muani converted the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Koen Casteels the wrong way to put France ahead in the 35th minute. Belgium responded just before halftime with Openda leveling the score in first-half added time. He headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne which the officials initially ruled offside but VAR later overturned the decision.

France appeared to regain the lead through a strike from Manu Kone but officials disallowed it due to a handball by Kolo Muani in the build-up. However, Randal Kolo Muani eventually found the net again in the 62nd minute heading in a cross from Lucas Digne to give France a 2-1 lead. The match shifted for France when captain Aurelien Tchouameni got a second yellow card for a foul on Tielemans just outside the box.

This left France with ten men for the final 14 minutes. Belgium pushed for an equalizer but failed to convert their chances. In the group’s other match, Italy defeated Israel 4-1 in Udine marking Israel’s first match outside Hungary this year. Italy now tops Group A2 with 10 points while France follows closely with 9 points. Belgium sits third with four points and faces the possibility of a relegation play-off.