KOLO MUANI IN THE DOUBLE AS FRANCE MAINTAINS CRUCIAL PROFIT

Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France held on to secure a crucial 2-1 win over Belgium in an enthralling UEFA Nations League encounter in Brussels.

Didier Deschamps’ side had their backs against the wall after Aurelien Tchouameni’s red card in the 76th minute, but they withstood late pressure from the hosts to maintain their lead and move to the brink of qualification from the group stage.

Kolo Muani put the visitors ahead with a penalty after a handball from Wout Faes, just twelve minutes after Youri Tielemans crossed from the spot to squander a golden opportunity to put Belgium ahead.

With France about to go into halftime with the lead, Timothy Catsagne found Lois Openda to head in the equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time.

Just two minutes after France had a Manu Kone goal disallowed for handball in the build-up, Kolo Muani restored the lead with a strong header that might have allowed Koen Casteels to do better in goal for Belgium.

The pressure on France increased late on when Tchouameni was shown a second yellow for a foul on Tielemans, but Deschamps’ men remained determined to earn their fifth successive victory against Belgium.