Thanks to a fine goal from Ousmane Dembele, France won relatively easily 2-0 against Belgium in the Nations League on Monday.

Dembele scored a superb second goal for Les Bleus 12 minutes after the break in Lyon.

Randal Kolo Muani had already given France the lead against the run of play, while Belgium had the upper hand in the opening phase.

Things might indeed have been different had the post not come to France’s rescue early on when Dodi Lukebakio fired unmarked into the penalty area.

Ultimately, Didier Deschamps’ team proved successful and the second-half display was crowned by a superb solo run from Dembele, which saw France bounce back from their previous game’s defeat to Italy.

Mike Maignan was in a good position to clear the ball out of play after Lukebakio hit the woodwork in the sixth minute. However, the French keeper would not have been able to prevent Lois Openda from firing the ball into an open goal if Lukebakio had been a little calmer when he was cleared by Kevin De Bruyne shortly afterwards.

However, after France had gained a foothold, they opened the scoring in the 30th minute with the first real chance.

Dembele’s attempt was saved by Koen Casteels, after which Kolo Muani fired the ball in with venom after a deflection from Wout Faes, who had come back to the goal line.

A strong start to the second half saw France double their lead as Dembele cut in from the right, dodging a number of defenders and completing a superb pass past Casteels.

Substitute Kylian Mbappe tried to make up for lost time when he came on and came close three times, but France ultimately had to settle for two goals in their run-up to the Nations League.

Belgium started well, but when France opened the scoring, Domenico Tedesco’s team seemed surprisingly short of ideas.

De Bruyne did his best to get the game going, but to be honest Belgium were hardly dangerous in the second half. And after a disappointing Euro 2024, it seems that Tedesco has not had the desired impact so far when it comes to getting the Red Devils playing against the very best teams.

It’s bizarre to think that just a few months ago it looked like Kante’s career with France was over.

Yet he came from nowhere to shine at Euro 2024, and the veteran campaigner maintained that level this time around. He was instrumental in France gaining a measure of control in the first half, and also played a part in both goals.

France: Maignan 7, Konde 7, Upamecano 6, Saliba 6, Digne 6, Kante 9, Guendouzi 6, Kone 6, Dembele 7, Thuram 6, Kolo Muani 7. Subtitles: 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. Subtitles: Bakayoko 5, De Ketelaere 6, Duranville 6, Mangala 6, Meunier 6.

6′ – Posts! France 0-0 Belgium (Lukebakio): Big chance for Belgium! A cross is bent to the back post, where Lukebakio acrobatically stands ready to connect with the ball. He pokes the ball towards goal, but the post comes to France’s aid, after which goalkeeper Maignan is able to clear the ball out of play for a corner.

9′ – Chance! France 0-0 Belgium (Lukebakio): France are defensively in disarray and it should have been 1-0 to Belgium! De Bruyne set Lukebakio free with a fantastic through ball and the winger was never caught. However, with Openda on base for a simple square ball, Lukebakio gets far too much on his pass and the chance is wasted. Another lucky shot for the hosts.

30′ – Goal! France 1-0 Belgium (Kolo Muani): Against the odds, France have the opening goal! Kante makes his way forward and pokes the ball through to Dembele, who makes a wild swing with his right foot. The ball bounces and bounces, and Casteels flutters a bit to save it, palming the ball straight to Kolo Muani, who hammers it in with a deflection.

57′ – Goal! France 2-0 Belgium (Dembele): And that’s six goals in a row for France, scored by PSG players, with Dembele firing a brilliant finish into the net. Cutting in from the right flank after a combination with Kante, Dembele leaps past two defenders before lining up for a left-footed shot, which he plants with venom past Casteels! That should calm any nerves the French have.

73′ – Save! France 2-0 Belgium (Mbappe): It looked like it would be 3-0 for all the world after Mbappe ran clear of the Belgian defence following a pass from Dembele. But Casteels was quick off his line to narrow the corner and then made an excellent stop with his feet to keep the Red Devils in this match, although time was running out for the visitors.