**BRUSSELS, Belgium –** The King Baudouin Stadium was alight with anticipation, and it didn’t take long for the fireworks to begin! Desire Doué, the electrifying Paris Saint-Germain winger, conjured a moment of pure footballing sorcery that left fans on both sides gasping. Dancing through Belgium’s rearguard with sensational control and dizzying quick feet, Doué unleashed a curling effort that arced majestically over Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, only to crash agonizingly against the crossbar. It was a shot that deserved a goal, a statement of intent from a player earmarked for greatness, and an early indicator that this Nations League clash between two European titans was going to be anything but ordinary.
France, still buzzing from their hard-fought 1-0 victory in Turkey, arrived in Brussels hungry for consecutive wins to stamp their authority on the campaign. However, the shadow of Kylian Mbappé’s injury – sustained heroically while scoring that crucial winner – loomed large, ruling their talismanic captain out for the initial four fixtures. This absence, while a blow, presented an exhilarating opportunity for Didier Deschamps to explore the immense depth and burgeoning talent within the French squad, putting new faces and strategic shifts under the microscope against a formidable Belgian side.
Belgium’s Tactical Adjustments and Rising Stars
Under the watchful eye of their coaching staff, Belgium entered the fray with a refreshed look following their recent win in Rome. Two significant changes saw Joaquin Seys and the highly-touted Romeo Lavia – making his full senior debut – slot into the starting XI, replacing Maxim De Cuyper and Nicolas Raskin. Lavia’s inclusion, in particular, signaled a clear intent to inject youthful dynamism and a composed presence into the midfield alongside seasoned generals like Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans. The Red Devils were looking to leverage their blend of experience and emerging talent to counter France’s formidable challenge and secure a crucial home victory.
**Belgium Starting XI:** Senne Lammens, Brandon Mechele, Romeo Lavia, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Mika Godts, Nathan Ngoy, Charles De Ketelaere, Joaquin Seys, Diego Moreira, Timothy Castagne
**Substitutes:** Maarten Vandevoordt, Zeno Debast, Koni De Winter, Maxim De Cuyper, Romelu Lukaku, Lois Openda, Jari De Busser, Dodi Lukebakio, Mandela Keita, Hans Vanaken, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Nicolas Raskin
France’s Revolution: A Glimpse into the Future
Deschamps, ever the pragmatist, wasn’t shy about ringing the changes. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and rock-solid defender Maxence Lacroix retained their places from the victory in Turkey, signifying a bold rotation strategy designed to test the squad’s immense depth and provide vital minutes for a host of promising youngsters. This wasn’t just a squad; it was a laboratory of talent, a chance for players like Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola, Maghnes Akliouche, and, of course, the ever-dangerous Desire Doué, to stake their claim for regular starting berths. The tactical flexibility offered by this new-look French side promised an unpredictable and exciting encounter.
**France Starting XI:** Mike Maignan, Pierre Kalulu, Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola, Andy Diouf, Maxence Lacroix, Maghnes Akliouche, Esteban Lepaul, Desire Doue, Lucas Da Cunha, Jeremy Jacquet
**Substitutes:** Guillaume Restes, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Manu Kone, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Leny Yoro, Jean Butez
Game Highlights: A Midfield Masterclass and Emerging Stars
The opening whistle blew, and the match immediately settled into a captivating rhythm, a tactical chess match played at breakneck speed. Doué’s early crossbar-rattler set the tone, demonstrating France’s attacking intent even without their primary superstar. Belgium responded with their customary fluid passing, orchestrated by the incomparable Kevin De Bruyne. The Manchester City maestro threaded several audacious balls through the French lines, testing the resolve of Maxence Lacroix and Jeremy Jacquet in the heart of the defense.
Midfield was where the battle truly raged. Romeo Lavia, in his full debut, showed remarkable composure and vision, often linking up seamlessly with Tielemans to disrupt French attacks and launch Belgian forays. However, France’s youthful exuberance, spearheaded by Eduardo Camavinga’s relentless pressing and Maghnes Akliouche’s inventive playmaking, gradually began to assert itself. Bradley Barcola, a constant menace on the left flank, stretched the Belgian defense with his blistering pace and intelligent runs, creating space for Doué and Lucas Da Cunha to exploit.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute. A brilliant counter-attack saw Camavinga win the ball deep in his own half, surging forward before releasing Barcola down the wing. Barcola skipped past Joaquin Seys and delivered a pin-point low cross that found Esteban Lepaul making a darting run into the box. Lepaul, with ice in his veins, calmly slotted past Lammens to give France a deserved 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Belgium push for an equalizer. Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda were introduced off the bench, adding significant firepower and directness. France’s defense, however, remained resolute. Mike Maignan, rarely tested in the first half, pulled off a spectacular diving save in the 67th minute to deny a powerful header from Charles De Ketelaere, maintaining France’s slender advantage. The final whistle brought a roar of approval from the travelling French support, confirming a hard-fought 1-0 victory and a perfect start to their Nations League campaign.
Where to watch Belgium vs France: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Monday was at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Amazon Prime PPV, which charges £2.49 for the game.
For coverage around the world, visit UEFA’s Nations League international broadcaster list.
Belgium vs France Nations League stats
- Belgium are targeting their first home win over France since a 2-0 victory in World Cup qualifying 45 years ago this month
- They last beat France in June 2015, winning a friendly 4–3 in Paris with current midfielder Youri Tielemans in their squad
- Of the 78 encounters between the teams, Belgium have 30 wins to 29 for France, with 19 draws and an aggregate lead for the Red Devils of 163-136
- Robert de Veen, who played for Belgium between 1906 and 1913, is the 13-goal top scorer in the history of the fixture, giving the Brugge striker four more than any other player ever to have featured
- In 38 visits from France, Belgium’s record is W20 D8 L10 with an aggregate scoreline advantage of 91-51, with that defeat in 2024 their first competitive home defeat in the fixture (W3 D1)
- France have won the last five editions of the fixture by an aggregate scoreline of 9-3, although only the most recent of those – a 2-1 victory in Brussels in the Nations League in October 2024 – was in Belgium
- This will be France’s 945th match since 1904, amassing 481 wins, 195 draws and 268 defeats while scoring 1,711 goal and conceding 1,272
- Mbappe is France’s all-time top scorer with 67 goals and became their eighth most-capped player by featuring against Turkey, moving level with Patrick Vieira and one behind Zidane’s total
- Each of France’s last 10 goals have come after the 47th minute, with five scored by Mbappe and two by Ousmane Dembele, who scored each of his after the 65th minute
- Les Bleus have scored at least twice in five of their last seven Nations League matches outside of France, failing to do so in Turkey and in a 2-0 defeat to Croatia in Split in March 2025, although they won the return match 2-0 and advanced to the semi-finals on penalties
Prediction: France’s Unstoppable Momentum
This victory, earned with a heavily rotated squad and against a strong Belgian side, speaks volumes about the sheer depth and unwavering quality within the French national team. While Mbappé’s absence is undoubtedly felt, it has inadvertently catalyzed the emergence of a thrilling new generation, eager to prove their worth. With their tactical flexibility, defensive solidity, and a wealth of attacking talent ready to step up, **France is not just a favorite for this Nations League campaign; they are rapidly becoming the team to beat in international football, signaling a dominant era that extends far beyond individual superstars.** Expect them to continue this winning momentum, adapting and thriving, no matter who takes the pitch.