Kolo Muani strikes twice as France beat Belgium in Nations League
Sports
France beat Belgium to maintain their hopes of qualifying for quarter-finals of the Nations League.
PARIS (AFP) - Randal Kolo Muani bagged a brace on Monday night as France edged past Belgium 2-1 to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Nations League.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker opened the scoring in the 35th minute from the penalty spot after Wout Faes handled the ball in the penalty area.
It was a harsh blow for the hosts who had dominated play at the Koning Boudewijnstadion in Brussels and fluffed a penalty of their own following William Saliba's ungainly lunge on Lois Openda midway through the first-half.
To Saliba's relief, Belgium skipper Youri Tielemans blasted his effort over the bar of France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
But on the stroke of half-time, Openda atoned for Tielemans' inaccuracy with a header past Maignan.
France emerged for the second period with more bite and intent. They pinned the Belgians back into their own half and took the lead when Kolo Muani headed Lucas Digne's cross from the left wing past the Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
Aurélien Tchouaméni's expulsion in the 76th minute for a second yellow card changed the the complexion of the tie as France tried to hold on to their advantage and Belgium pressed for the equaliser.
SOLIDITY
Didier Deschamps' men held on for the victory and need a point from their next match against Israel on 14 November to advance to the last eight.
"We really suffered at the end when we were down to 10 men," said France defender Ibrahima Konaté.
"But the defence held firm and the goalkeeper made some key saves.
"We obviously need to improve the things that didn't go well in this match but the most important thing to savour is the three points."
Italy moved into the last eight from Group 2 in League A with a 4-1 romp past Israel at the Stadio Friuli in Udinese.
Mateo Retegui scored Italy's first from the penalty spot just before half-time and Giovanni Di Lorenzo doubled the advantage just after the pause.
But Israel sewed doubt among the hosts when Mohammad Abu Fani halved the deficit midway through the second-half.
Davide Frattesi restored the two-goal advantage in the 72nd minute and Di Lorenzo added the gloss 11 minutes from time.
