France 2-0 Belgium – Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele lead Les Bleus to victory in the Nations League

Ousmane Dembele's dream goal helped France to a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over Belgium in the Nations League on Monday.

Twelve minutes after the break, Dembele scored a brilliant second goal for Les Bleus in Lyon.

Randal Kolo Muani had earlier put France ahead against the run of play, with Belgium having the upper hand in the early stages of the game.

In fact, things would have turned out differently if the post had not come to the Frenchman's aid early on when Dodi Lukebakio entered the six-yard box unmarked.

However, Didier Deschamps' side were able to take advantage of their luck and put in a solid second-half performance, capped off by Dembélé's excellent solo goal, to help France recover from their last defeat to Italy.

Mike Maignan was well placed to clear the ball out of play after Lukebakio had hit the woodwork in the sixth minute, but the French goalkeeper could not have prevented Lois Openda from firing the ball into the gaping net had Lukebakio shown more composure when Kevin De Bruyne fed the ball shortly afterwards.

But France had settled into the game better and took the lead in the 30th minute with their first real chance to score.

Dembele's failed attempt was saved by Koen Casteels and Kolo Muani smashed a venomous shot into the goal after a deflection by Wout Faes, who had returned to the line.

A strong start to the second half paved the way for France to double their lead when Dembele broke in down the right flank, evaded a number of defenders and fired a brilliant finish past Casteels.

Substitute Kylian Mbappe tried to make up for lost time after coming on and had three good chances, but France ultimately had to settle for two goals at the start of their Nations League campaign.

Belgium started well, but when France scored the first goal, Domenico Tedesco's team seemed remarkably lacking in ideas.

De Bruyne did his best to get things rolling, but indeed Belgium were hardly a threat in the second half and after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, Tedesco so far does not seem to have the desired influence when it comes to putting the Red Devils up against the very best teams.

It is bizarre considering that just a few months ago it looked as if Kante's career in the French national team was over.

Yet he came out of the blue as the star of Euro 2024 and the experienced player was able to maintain his level of performance this time around, playing a key role in France gaining a degree of control in the first half and also being involved in both goals.

France: Maignan 7, Kounde 7, Upamecano 6, Saliba 6, Digne 6, Kante 9, Guendouzi 6, Kone 6, Dembele 7, Thuram 6, Kolo Muani 7. Subscriptions: Fofana 6, Barcola 6, Griezmann 6, Mbappe 7, Olise 6.

Belgium: Casteels 6, Castagne 6, Debast 6, Faes 6, Theate 6, Onana 6, Tielemans 5, De Bruyne 6, Lukebakio 5, Openda 6, Doku 4. Subscriptions: Bakayoko 5, De Ketelaere 6, Duranville 6, Mangala 6, Meunier 6.

6' – Post! France – Belgium 0:0 (Lukebakio): Huge chance for Belgium! A cross goes to the far post, where Lukebakio is acrobatic and shoots the ball into the goal, but the post comes to France's aid and goalkeeper Maignan is able to clear the ball out of play and there is a corner.

9' – Chance! France 0:0 Belgium (Lukebakio): France are very inconsistent defensively and it should really be 1-0 for Belgium! De Bruyne sent Lukebakio into play with a fantastic through ball and the winger could not be caught. However, when Openda ran up for a simple cross pass, Lukebakio went way too far with his pass and the chance was wasted. Another lucky save for the hosts.

30' – Goal! France – Belgium 1:0 (Kolo Muani): Against the run of play, France take the lead! Kante powers his way forward and slides the ball through to Dembele, who strikes wildly with his right foot. The ball bounces and bounces and Casteels is a little embarrassed as he parries it, slotting it straight into the path of Kolo Muani, who deflects it and hammers it home.

57' – Goal! France – Belgium 2:0 (Dembele): That makes it six goals in a row for France scored by PSG players as Dembele fires a brilliant finish into the net. After cutting in from the right following a combination with Kante, Dembele outruns two defenders before lining up for a left-footed shot which he fires past Casteels with a vengeance! That should calm the French nerves.

73' – Defence! France – Belgium 2:0 (Mbappe): It looked like it would be 3-0 after Mbappe broke past the Belgian defence following Dembele's pass, but Casteels was quick out of his goal area to narrow the angle and then made an excellent save with his foot to keep the Red Devils in the game as the visitors ran out of time.